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INTERESTING 
MEMOIRS. 



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INTERESTING 
MEMOIRS. 

BY A LADY. 
JN TWO VOLUMES* 



LOND Ni 

MINTED FOR A. STRAHAN. AND T. CADILI 

tN THE STRAND } J. BALFOUR, AND 

W. CREECH, EDINBURGH. 

MDCCLXXXV. 



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TO THE 



Q^ V E E N. 



Madam,' 

TO Your Majestt, aa the il- 
luftrious pattern- of every fer 
male virtue, and more particularly of 
thofe that add dignity even to the 
inofl exalted ftations, I prefume to 
dedicate a Work, intended for the 
improve- 

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vi DEDICATION". 

improvement as well as amxilement' 
of Youth. 

I prefent it to Your Majesty, ia 
hopes of your approbation, and as a 
fmall, though fmcere teftimony, of 
that profound refpe^ and admiratiba 
with whicli I am, 

Your Majesty's 
Moft faithfuT, deroted, andt 
Obedient humble S^rvaur, - 

ri6, 178s. 

Th© AUTHOR. 



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T 11 ;E FA C E. 



TAKING advant^ oF the prevjul- 
ing tegeifot Novels, the vehicles 
' tiywhach'themoft ffttal poifotv is eftcA 

>e»nve7ed la the he^c, I fend tbefe Vo- 
- ili^jies :into the world, with rthe Inimane 
:.4ntcntioa4 per^ps prefumptuous hope, 

«»rceuntefaAuig the. cSc&i of fuch.pro- 
. -^v&ionh by.in^mng my young Read- 

«» TOth jqfter.fentimaits, and ».moiv 
. correA'taAe, than what is ufually ac- 

•qtt^-ed ' by .perufing -books of mere 

^aqiufeinent. , 

To beguile the remembrance of real 
■and tet^ent misfortunes, by narrating a 
, .ftory, the incidents of which are partly 
«titious, I have been infenfibly led to 

■ -'^^ ' 7 compile 






via PREFACE, 

compile this little Work: But thougli 
the ftory is indebted to fancy, the re- 
flections vlth which it is iaterfperfed, 
are ihofe of fentimentj and flow directly 
from the heart. 

Should the friends in vhom mine is 

tnoft tenderly intercfted, reap either 

' pitafure or improvement from this 

Work — fhouid I, by means of it, iii- 

l^ire one virtuous aim> or cherifli ene 

pious fentiment in the minds of youth, 

I Ihall fubmit contentedly ta the award 

. ' of an impartial Public with rripeft to 

Its literary merit, of- which I am not 

qualified to judge ; but which, in my 

-eftimation, is comparatively of little 

importance. 



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I NT E R E S T I N G 
M E M O I R S. 



THE fpirit of true valonr "which am- 
matcd the heroes m the age of~ 
Louis XIV. was not confined to France. 
The contagious manners of a volaptuous 
monarch, and a licentioas court, had noc 
■yet diffiifed thcmfclves through the peo- 
ple of England ; and their ancient fpiric 
fccnaed to revive, at the very moment 
when the rival powers of Europe requir- 
ed that England fiiould take a decided 
part in their quarrels, in order to pre- 
ferve that balance on which their mutual 
Jafety depends. 

Vol, I. B Adverfity , 

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t INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

ASverfity is «ftcn the parenttrf" Virtue.' 
The domeftic troubles in which that 
kingdom had lately been involved, not 
onl7 ^ga^c-! a . check. K> the jirogrtfs of 
vice and luxury, but led men to chink 
juftly, .which. is the firft ftep towards 
flirting ■jiobly. - - - - - 

Amongft Thi^'"%tfO, iJilgufted with 
the purfuit of pleafure, pr indulgence of 
.flothi wiOied to diftinguifti ehetnfelvM ip 
the field of glory Mid -fame,, were the 
young-Earl ofGranviUe, and' his friend 
Mr. Seymour. — The name of a Conde 
infpired them with an ardent ambitipn> 
not only to fliare in his ' g)oryi but to 
emulate his virtues, Aocordin^y, hav- 
ing no parents to controul them, or 
coi^bat what Ibme would deenx a ro- 
jmenxic pnihufiafm,' they €mb*rlfed for 
France; reached the. army which was 
then encamped at Sienhes, - and intro- 
duced thcmfclves to the Prince, as two 
young 

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XNTEKBSTmO JtaBHOIRI. « 
young foldkrs (^fortune, whawUhedtp 
■fight ^nder fais iiaaner, whUft oppofiag 
their common enemies. 

-, it is needl^ tp isy that our young 
.'heroes Atfferedno oj^rtunity to tfci^ 
-of fignaliztng themfelves ; and Co ha- 
■cck(\il were they In their varioiB enter- 
prizesi ihit-at the peace of - LjuA 

,GntnvilIe was polTefledof a Captain's* 
and Mr. Seymour of a Colonel's con»- 
.mtfiion. . The former returned to En^ 
land, but the latter enteccd inco the fefr 
vice of the Dutch. 

Tired at length with the fatigues (rf 
-war. Colonel Seymour determined to 
.abandon them for a life of domeftic 
quiet. He returned to his native coun- 
try, which acquaintance with others had 
only ferved to endear. With part of 
his paternal fortune he purchafed a re- 
tired and beautiful farm. He married 
B 2 an 



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« INTERESTINQ MEMOIRS. 

'an'amiablc woman, reflefted on theri. 
iriousbleffings he poffeffcd, and refolvcd 
to be happy. 

Habit, httwevef, is often more power- 
fiil than principle. Accuftomed to an 
-aflive life, tlje powers of his mind lan- 
-guiflied for want of employment. His 
haughty and imperious temper, which 
he had been at no pains to fubdue, 
having now no objefts for its exercife, 
-degenerated into pecvifiinefs, caprice, 
-and difcontenc. 

His gentle partner bore her fliare of 
this unequal yoke with patient fubrhif- 
fion. Perhaps, had ihe exerted a little 
inor«..ipirit, the dennands made on her 
■forbearance would neither have been fo 
numerous, nor fo frequent j but her foul 
was of that fahfitive nanire, which 
ibrinks from the approach of ftrife or 
-tinkindnefis i and flie refolved quietly to ■ 
bear, 

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INTERE&TiNG MEMOIRS^ % 

bear, what ihe had neither ftrength to 
oppofe, nor flcill to remedy. 

. ColoDcl Seymour was determined in 
the choice of his refidence, from its vi- 
cinity to the Caille of Haftings -, the 
ieat of -his ancieiw friend Lord Gran- 
ville, who was in truth one of the moll 
refpedable chara<fters of that age. He 
had early imbibed thofe juft notions oC 
honour, that fortitude, magnanimity, 
and love'of true glory, and all thofe 
exalted virtues which were displayed. in 
the conduit of a Villeroy, a Cond£, and 
aTurenne. But, along with tliefe, he had 
chccilhed alfo the gentler virtues of the 
heart: The former ferve to recommend 
us to the cfteem of others; but it is fron^ 
the latter we muft derive our felf-enjoy- 
mcnt. 

"With all.thefe advantages, the cha- 
racter of Lord Granville was ftrongly 
B X marked 



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« IRTEItBSTlNG MlMOIHSv ' 
narked t^ ambition and Bigh nothans 
of birrh. Conicious of having deferred 
the favour of his fovcrcign, his claims, 
perhapsj hotc ajuAcr pcopaFtioato Kis 
delerts tbaii to the power of his mafter>' 
whofe profufion and love of pleafuro' 
deprived him of the means of rcwacding; 
merit, by leis^ng him to beftow his fa- 
vours chiefi^ on. thole who contribtfted 
At once to hift enjoyment and his in&my. 

Diigofted mik the Court, whofe man- 
ners rncujred both his hatred and con- 
icflfipt, he retired to the fcat of hi* 
anceftors, where, fcHow^ng the nattiraf 
Bias of his exalted mind> he ftrore to 
promote the happinefs, as he had for- 
ineriy done the glory, of his country. 

He married his coufm Lady Louifai 

Howard J who, by the prudence of her 

mother, had been (hdtercd in the quiet 

of retirement from the general conta- 

■ . gion i 

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INTEftESrriNQ MEMQHtSi jf 
ffon i tfiat lady, choelmg rathe^, b^ 
living in the cgjiotry, to ^effive her 
daughter of the high > poUfti of a court, 
than to ftaio the purity of her mind, by- 
expofiog hef to_ i?» corruf^tiijg maimers, 
and example. 

A yew iftet thcic roarriagc. Lord, 
Granville's happinefs re.(j?iyed a greater 
addition than he thought it could ad* 
mit of, by thq'bip^ of.afe* i, Wwi be- 
SoTfi otbsr iwQ eSptwdj hit l*^ preTeni- 
ed hioi iikewifp with a daughtef. Cug 
&e Laft ojily furvived long eactugh ta 
make her c;xceUcDt pMei)t3..expeiient;ft 
the wtio>c bitteen^a trf forrifivi by^iY-s 
tng early, ptoofs. ^f talsiots.. fisted t^ 
adorn a public; Oat^ofi, itgd virt)^^ tQ 
endear a domeftic charafter. 

Thf ftri^eft idtim^cy had fubfifted i{^ 

eaily life, betw^eti Lady Granwille an^ 

Mr?. Seymour, whofe ediKatiqo ha^ 

B 4 been 



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g IKTKRESTING MEMOIHK 

been carried on together andcp thein- 
fpeftion of Lady Howard. Andthougln 
neitKer of thefe yoang ladic* pofieffed. 
that ianguine temper and. lively imagi- 
nation, which . give birth to the enthu- 
iiafm of friendibip) they felt for each, 
other that fettled cfteem and compla- 
cency which often forms the moft laft- 
ing attachments. 

Theirs was afterwards ftrengthened. 
and confirmed by conftant inicrcburfe' 
between the two families, and acquired 
a peculiar teodcrnefs from their mutual 
diftrefles : For it is certwn, thofe ami-: 
cable connexions are ever the moft iaft- 
:ng, which take their rife from mutual 
dependence and fympathy. 

In the kind and gentle bofom of Mrs* 

Seymottr, Lady Granville repofed that 

tender forrow which the lofs of her 

daughter occafioned, and which the fear 

of 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS; 9 

of rncreafing the diftrefs of a hufband 
Ibr fondly lovcd^ made her reprefs ia- 
his' prefence^ 

The fufFerings of Mrs. Seymour from 
the conftant bad Humour of the Colonel, 
were of a very different nature; and 
though they could not be concealed 
from the obfervation of her friend, yet 
fo facred did (he hold the weaknefa of a 
chanifter, with which ftie was fo nearly 
connefted, that Ihe never mentioned- 
them, but with' 3 view to palliate what* 
ihe vMnly endeavoured to hide, and 
never could hope to amend. 

The temper of Cofonel Seymour, how-' 
«ver, feemed fenfibly changedj by an event 
equally agreeable and unexpefted. After 
having been fcveral years married with- 
out children, Mrs.- Seymour was de- 
livered of a' (tne girl> who awakenjtd 
in the bofom'of her father fenfations thi) 
B J nioft 



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19 INTERESTING MEMOIRS.* 
rfjoft tender and delightful ; and agree- 
afAy employed his mind in forming 
fchemes for her future education and 
improTcment. 

The birth of this child was confidcred 
\xy L^ady Granville as the happieft cir- 
t^nftance that could befal her friend j 
nor did it ftem t>f ipoch ief» confequericc 
tj9 herfelf. -The young Lord Hafting* 
having been Tent about this time on a 
vifit to hia grandmother. Lady Granville 
iilt, that the death of her daughter, and 
^bfence of-her fon, was atrial too greac 
for her weak fpiritstofuppbrt: Heaven 
Teemed to have fent this child to fup- 
ply, in fome mcafure, the void thus left 
in her heart. She vifited Springwood 
every day, and never failed to carcfs th« 
Wreet innocent with all a mother's fond- 
nefe. Mrs. Seymour, well knowing the 
attachment Lady Granville had to the 
name of Louifs, which ^r lamented 
child 

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INTERESTING MEMOIfl^.. ly 
child had born, requeftetj her tq be*> 
gome godmother to the little ftrangcr, 
and to allow it to be baptized by that 



" I reccjvp wjt.h gratitude this inftance 
of your delicate attention," replied Lady 
Granville ; " but, indeed, my beloved 
friend, though I accept the naipe, you 
muft pardon me for declining the office 
of godmother. An oath U of UM.facrcd 
a i}ature:to be unnece(!anly undertake^ f 
(he parents are ccrtaii^ly the moft proper 
fponfors for their children : I have never 
alked any perfon to ftapd for mine j be- 
caufc I think this not only a ufeleia 
ceremony, but, with the generality of 
the world, a criminal profanatioi) of ^ 
pipft facrcd engagement." 

For feme time the" lovely I-ouifa 
fcemed Co rcftorc peapcand even chtcr- 
fulnefs to, the botbm 9f her parents 



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19 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
Their fondnefs for her was greit, but 
it was juftificd by the beauty and fweet-*' 
flcfs of their little darling. Her time- 
was divided between them and Lord 
and Lady Granville, whofe affeftion for 
her feemed almoft equal to that which 
nature infpires. ' 

Her education, during the firft years 
of her life, agreeably occupied thofc 
hours which ufed to hang heavy on the 
hands of her fond father; and he after- 
wards continued to fupcrinrend himfelfy 
her progreft in thofe branches which 
required the aid of fopcrior mafters. In 
the'midft of ihefe agreeable occupations, 
however, the family at Springwood re- 
ceived a ftiock, which being alike un- 
Tortunate and unforefeen, produced the 
moft fatal confequences. 

' The Colonel's fortune, confift'mg of 
fifteen thoufaqd pounds, he was adviffd 



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DYTERESTIN^G MEMOIRS. lyi 
to- fecure in the funds'; and for ttut 
puppofe had coileftcd and placed it 
in the hands of an eminent braker, who 
was to have tranfa^ed the bufinefs the- 
very day on which he died. ^ His. affairs 
were found in thegreaieft confufion ; 
and after every attempt to aflert his 
jtiff ctaims, the- Colonel could only re- 
cover .three of the fifteen thoufandv 

This blow, to a' man ad-ranced ir 
years, chagrined in tcmperj and dec! in-' 
ing in health, was indeed a dreadfut 
One. The Colonel was neither poffeffed 
of that philofophy which teaches us to 
bear patiently what we cannot efcape,- 
nor foothed with that religion which 
palliates the bitternefc of difappointed 
hope with the affurance of ceruin fe- 
licity. 

To a perfbn about, to quit life, one 

would think the goods of fortune would 

feem 

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H' INTERESTINa MBMOtHS-- 
frem trlvutl ^n^ iofigQifH^a^c i bpt ths- 
mind p^afps at theft objcft* in 'whi.ch 
ic has long delighted* md feeU its fond- 
nefs for them incrcare, ^jf (h« near pfo* 
ipe£t of a fep^ution. 

The Colonel ftroTC to brave the ftoiro*. 
and fupport this ftrokc with thQ rcfolu- 
tion of a foldier.. The hardy oak proudly 
oppofes the whole fury of the elements, 
and. is fcorch^d by thp lightning, or , 
overthrown by the teippeft^i whilft the 
bumble willow, by gently yielding to its 
force, preftrvps fecyre its unenvicd Na- 
tion. Such were the di fferent tempers wit^ 
which, the Colonrl and his. amiable wife, 
ancountered adverfity, And fuch cop wer? 
the different effifds produced by it.— 
Calanel Scyiiwur did not long, lamenc 
. his lofs of fortune ; a fudden ftrol^p 
of the palfy put a period to that life, 
winch was already wearing towards its 
dufe. ... 

Though 

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INTEKSSTING MBMOIRB.' ff- 
Though the. diftrefs amd conAant in^ 
quietude which his caprice and -iiln 
humour had inBicted on his gentle 
partner, were now no more ; yet after 
his death, flie experienced pangfi » thou-' 
£>nd timet more fevere than any hit 
harihoefs had.cccalioned. In tho ^vn 
of a friend we bury all his foibles i 
there we facrifiee our little difgufta am} 
refentments : Time, whilft it throws « 
jacrcd veil over his errors, ferves rffo 
greatly to magnify his virtues. ■ W« 
remember them without thofe (hades 
which the imperfeftion of human nature 
had mingled with them, — -.we feel our 
irreparable Ibfs,— we deplore it,— and 
the tendemefs of melancholy, uniting 
with the admiration of virtue, gives 
birth to a fentiment too exquifite to 
be defined ; and which, by conftantl]^ 
acc<KnpaAyi«g the idea' of our departed 
. friend, j^ndcrs our mournful recollec- 
tion of paft pLcafurcA often more delight- 
ful 

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l» mTEft'ESTING MEMOIRS. 

All thin the enjoyment ^fuch as are pre- 

feOtr 

At leifure to refie£ton the various fitua- 
tions and infirm health of Colonel Sey- 
mour, his afflicted wife found a thoufand 
teafons to excule, and even juftify his 
capricious temper. A thoufiind proofs, 
of his tendernefs ruihed on her mind ; 
and flic accufed herfelf. continually of 
having been impatient under the one,, 
and ungrateful for the other. Unhappy 
eSeft of an cxccfs of the "moft amiablc- 
virtues, humility and ingenuity ! 

The friendihip of Lady Granville fuf- 
tained at this trying jun£lure the feeble- 
Iiefs of ber mindy and aided the efforts of 
her reafon,. to difpel the cloud with 
which grief had enveloped it. Her 
heart found its chief confolatidn in the 
innocent endearments and watchful at- 
tentions of her chaimiag daughter> who 
was 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 17 
was now become the otAy Tource of her 
comfort, the only objeft of her care. 

The fingnlar beaaty of her pirfon,' 
wbilft it ftattrred the vanity of a mother, 
awakened in her bofom a variety of ap- 
prehenfions. She never regretted the 
I0I3 of fortune on her own account ; but; 
when Ox confidercd the dangers and 
mortiiicatjons to which it would fubjcft 
her child, accuftomcd to aflociate with- 
people in a fuperior rank, and educated 
with the profptUt of an independent for- 
tune, her heart died within her ; nor was 
this' the chief faurce of her inquietude. 
She early difcovered in Louifa, that re-' 
fined and ingenuous fenQbllity, which 
would at once expofe her to the mofl ex- 
qutftte fufferings, and incapacitate her 
for fupporting them. 

The various anxieties that preyed on Bef 

mind, enfeebled her body, and impaired 

her 



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lA IHTBRESTINC WBMOfttSi 
her health. Loui^ faw her daily decVui-r 
ing with terror and angutfh. Afcaid to 
awaken thofc apprehenfions in the bofom 
<jf Her morfier, which flic coaldno longer 
l^tnilh from her own^ Ihe commuoLcaced 
her fears to her fympachifing friend Lady 
Granville j who, on pretence- of a call in 
pafEng, brought an eminent phyAcian ta 
TJfit Mrs, Seymour, He made no fcniplff 
to proooiuice her ia danger of a declidMv^ 
and. advifed immrdiatc cKaitgc of chmate 
4s the: oi^j- pofQblfr nxau of px>Ioi)gtog 
her life. 

. Zt yiaa a. hrcef&ry, but painful offieefL 
to commuaicau this information to Mn^ 
Seymour. L^y Granville did fa in tha 
moil cautious manner.; — " Think not,' 
*f my watchful friend," replied (he, *• that 
" I am either ignorant of qiy malady* or 
" fhocked with my danger. Death has 
'/for fome time been famiitarto my 
y thought;s,..and, aft fef a* v«aH9wabl<?, 
" the 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. f^ 
^ the obje£t of my wiflies. That I have 
** hitherto been filent on this Ail^eA, 
" proceeded entirely from tverfton to 
** g^ve you pain, and to dBxSt mf be-' 
^ loved child, whole heart, alas! is bur 
*' tgo icnlible to every dlftre^ o£ ber 
" mother's. 

- '^ If we tnuft pan, to you I conSdtf 
** my tEcalure} on you i rely for fup' 
*.* piytng her lofs> and' even teaching 
** her to forget it, by your gencraus 'can« 
«* ifant friemlfliip." 

- Lady Granviilc was deeply aSc^ed by 
this cOftTcrikion, and after ihe moft itr^ 
lemn affuranccs of fidelity to the tnift 
repofed in her, uj^dMrs. Seympur,'in 
the ftrongeH; terms, to coafent to goin^ 
abroad without delay. She oppded her 
arguments with a rariety of pleas ; as 
laft, looking tenderly at her friend, an^ 
paufing for a moment, " Why, why, my 

" dcareft 



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so INTERESTllSG MEMOtRS.' 
" deareft Lady Granville, fliould you bff 
" thus anxious to preferve a life, which* 
•* IS evidently hafteoing to a period ;■ 
" and which I cannot even prolong, bur 
" at an expence which my little fortune 
" can ill (upport. You know the whole 
** amount of Colonel Seymour's effects 
*' does not exceed three thoufand pounds I 
** a fum by no means adequate to the tx- 
*■' pCQfivceducationofIjouifa,andwhktrv 
** if I cannot increafe by mj cecononny; 
<■ I will at leaft never diminiOi in thc^ 
** way of a doubtful experiment. With- 
** me, indeed, its effefts are not doubt- 
•* ful, fince Tarn convinced by my feel- 
*' ings, that I never can recover." 

Lady Granville ceafed to urge her 
friend i but on her returning home, wrote 
her the following letter, inclofing a 
draught on hcc banker for a thbufand • 
pounds.. 

n 

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IXT£R£STING MEMOIKS. n 



To Mrs. Seymour. 

" I tnift my dear Mrs. Seymour U 
not to learn that the only advantage 
' which wealth can confer on her friend> is 
the power of beftowing it on others. I 
never knew till now the value of money ; 
much, indeed, (hall I feel my felf indebted 
to Providence, if it can in the fmallcft 
'<iegree contribute to your health or'en- 
joymcnt. 

" I will. not injure your friendlhip, by 
fuppofing that you will refufe this fmall 

rteftirrlo'ny of mine ; but fliould you'fcel 
the flighteft hciiiation about accepting 
it, think for a nwment what you woukl 
fuffer, if you faw me in diftrefa which 

.you could alleviate,* bjjt which a falfe and 

cruel delicacy on my part oppofed, and 

rendered unprafticable. Make this ap- 

1 ' P^»* 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



fu .INTE1lESTJ;^<?.M*.MOrft?. 
peal to your own ingenuous hearty and 
I will truft my caufe to its decifioo. 



" I ever am, with confirmed eftcem, 
■ftnd tender affcftion. 

Yours, 

U3UI5A GKAITVItl.'E/* 

To Lady Gretrville. 
" Did I ftand in need of proofs of the 
tnoft generous and conflant attachment, 
the letter before me would fupply in- 
"C^uitcAible evidence of yours. 

•* With a mind weakened by difeafc, I 
^re hardly truft to the appeal you re- 
iquire. Something within this bofom, 
-whcthfir pride or delicacy 1 knaw not, 
Tcvolts at .the idea of tecdving a gift of 
.^tfais Aature, niiich it istttterly impoOible 
■ i can ever lepay. But from whatever 
. , I principle 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



SNTEiRESrrrNG MEMOIRS. cj 
-pidnc^le citef^ fdelzBgs are derived, i 
ifhM -reaiitly fscrrBce them to ■&€. cer- 
tainty of 'giving. you pleafurc^ aiid the 
ihopc' of !proving irtyfcH" *on3iy of the 
i^^rc^O^ of all btedSrqgs, your eilerm and 
appffabatittn. . : 

"' Ttefe haw long conftjtuted the chitf 
■■nj(Sjeroicftt «tf 

'Ygut devoted friend, ' 
£liza Seymoua.'- 



** Vff ihdtlrer'hai jufl: rnfoi'med'me of 
'^e 'titter you ha»e -feht her. -O T-^ff 
■^GVanville ! Orti^deaTeHfecondftareni! 
'Ilbw can Ireftrain my gratitude, fny afl- 
'ttiimtion'tffyourgoodntffi, or father h©*r 
-can I±34prefe it ? Your noble gcnttoRrv 
•qaitc ■ bvcrpewers my heart. This^gift 
■*to iny moGhejF, -fe'litipriflns, fo-Bwti- 
; - ^ pefted— 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



;*f INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
pcjifted— buc why do I .talk in this man- 
-ner ? Is there any thing great or good 
that is not familiar to Lady Granville ? 
Deareft Madani ! I can only thank you 
.vith my. tears;; butdonotreltrain them; 
they are accompanied with a feeling fo 
delightful, that I would rather weep with 
' jfou than rejoice with all the world. Could 
envy Hnd a place in the bofom of hv 
whoro you honour with -your friendfhip, 
V-fliould certainly envy you your prefent - 
feelings. But I can truly fay, had I the 
power, I Ihould know no delight equal 
to that of obliging yo.u. _ ,^ 

■? •* Perhaps it may prove that I amnotal- 
together unworthy ofyour goodnefs, when 
I declare, that though yours infpires me 
' with equal pleafure and graticudej you 
• are the only perfon in the world from 
whom I could receive fuch an obliga- 
: tion, wttho\it feeling fenfibk pain . May 
-I never forfeit y«ureftcem, or forget your 
goodnefsi 

D.,.-.:,d J. Googic 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS. S5 

goodnefs i and may you, dear Madam, 
long live to fulfil the benevolent pur- 
pofes of your heart j where, I truft, you 
wiU' ever find a place for your much 
obliged^ obedient, and gratefiil 

Louisa Seymouh,." 

It being now the month of September, 
tliere was no time to lofe in making pre- 
pa^ations-for the departure of Mrs.. Sey- 
mour and her daughter. About .this 
time. Lord and Lady Granville received 
the mofl: lively f^isfaftion by the return 
of Lord Haftingsfrom an academy where 
he had fpent die.laft fix years. The 
mafter of it, having long officiated as 
chaplain in the regiment commanded by 
Colonel Seymour, had recommended 
himfelf to the efteem of -all.the officer^ 
by his good fenfe,. liberal fentiments, and 
una0ed:ed piety; and by.his unafiumlng 
manners and ftrift regard to his duty, 
-was revered even by thofe who lived in 

Vol. I. C the 

D.5.-.:8dj,GOOgle 



s» ItfTBRESTING MEMOIRS. 
(he conftant violation of thefrs-^Such is 
lAx power of real goodneTG ^ 

The advantages to be reaped from 
fuch an inftni^'», were (■oo many, not 
ta oy^balance, in minds like Lord and 
Lady Granville's, the natural defire. of 
having their only fon placed near them. 
And as Dr. Melville complained, that 
the frequent avocations occafioned by 
the holidays, had a bad effect in diflipat- 
ing the minds of his young pupils, and 
- giving them habits of inattention, his 
fond pa-ents facrificed their indulgence. 
to his improvement, and never brought 
hhn home but at Chrilllmas. 

Nine months had elapfed fince his lall 
Tilit at the caftle, and the change which 
that' time had produced on his perfon, 
Was remarked with adnHrattop by all its 
Mbabitaots. 

'He 



I ,. Googic 



tNTEKESTIKG MEUOntS. *f 
He bad juftfeactiedhis twentjr-lecend 
year; -aperiod,'«^nyotingmenofrank 
too often appear in a difagreeable light, 
cither from the rude indifference or 
affecftcd petulance of their mannen. 
Equally remote from the clown andthrf 
coxcomb. Lord Haftings appeared with 
that modefty and referve which agreed" 
ft) well with the dignity of his afpefl:^ 
and fingular elegance of his perfon, that 
it .was as "impoffible to behold him with- 
out complacency, as to liften to him 
without admiration. His fine intelligent 
eyes convinced one before " he fpake, 
that one had every thing noble to expert 
from the mind that informed them j an<f 
as their expreffion varied with every 
varying fentiment, the feeling heart tbok 
an immediate interell in their language. 

It is highly flattering to oar felf-love^ 

to find our firft impreflions confirmed. 

The ckara^tM of Lord HaftiBgs did more 

C 2 chati 

. . D5 .ij,.Googic 



«l INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
riian fulfil the agreeable prefages to 
irhich the firft fight of Wa perfon gave 
birth. 

It was impo/nble that two .young 
people fo perfcftly amiable as Mifs Sey- 
mour and Lord Haftings could behold 
each other with indifference ; but wholly 
unaccuftomed to the fociety of women, 
he felt himfelf embarraffcd in her pre- 
fence j and from a fort of fecret con- 
Icioufnefsi appeared deficient even in 
fuch little attentions as poHtcnefs teaches 
ihofe who do not feel their propriety; 
Kuc which his natural fenftbility and good 
tafte would certainly have led him to pay 
any other woman. The admiration her 
beauty excked was a fentiment wholly 
new and delightful; but his heart was 
in no danger from any other, as tHeN>p- 
portuniiies of feeing Mifs Seymour fel- 
dom occurred ; and her attention was fo 
entirely engrofied by her mother^ that 
ihe 

D5 .ij,.Googic 



INT£REStlNG MEMOIRS. «$ 
flie fcarcdy ever fpcnt an hour at thd 
caftle. 

Evciy thing being adjufted for chcir 
departure, Mrs. Seymour and her charm- 
ing daughter took a very tender leave of 
Lord, and Lady Granville. Lord Haft- 
ings was prefent at this interview, and 
felt himfelf deeply affe&ed by the beha- 
viour of Louifa; who, on embracing 
Jicr benefaftrefs, feemed wholly to fcMrgec 
that there were any witnelTes of her emor 
tions, and burfting into tears, with much 
^fficulty articulated thefe words : ** Oh 
Lady Granrille 1 what do I not owe you p 
—Perhaps the life of my beloved pa-, 
rent I — Buc heaven will reward' you, — I 
never, never can.'* 

Ij^d Haftings prefcnted her his fa^nd i 

ber's trembled exceedingly from the a^ 

tation of her mind. He conveyed her to 

the chaiTe, in which her mother waited 

C 3 for 



I ..Google 



^p INT&tlESTINfi ME¥<>!Br9. 
£» her ; hp wilhed Mrs- Seyammr every 
»lvantagc fhe could poflibly delire froirj 
her journey ; he would have faid fome- 
tbiog to L/)ui(b, but the fight of her 
Im^y face, bedewed vith tears, dcprivtd 
faira.af "utcerxncc. He had time only to 
hid her adieu, the. chalfe deorc off*} ani 
left him in a ftate of mind equally new 
aad agitating i tbecati&ofwhLch hedid 
Itot 4direover, b^cauTe^ pcdi^s* he wn 
at iKttpaiH GO •n^inu 

• On his cRtoing the pariaur* die con« 
vepfation natsuraUy turned on ihx tnvdn 
tni>*> Both iJvd utd Uujjr GraariUt 
joif ed' io the h^heit tncocniwis QB the 
fhat;a3vr of Mnu Se$<flMHir» and th« 
fingular beauty and fweetwfe of . h« 
daughter ; whofe filial piety Lady 
> Cfranville ^ufedj -mii the wKhufijrfm 
«Cj» ftitud/ iand the fondttdi of a mo- 
tJlCT.-. .-.■..: 

'■''■ * ' ' .' The 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 31 
The iiwecb Louifa had ijfiade at paii> 
ing dwelt on the mind of Lord Haftingsi 
and no, foMier did his father leave the 
room, than he eagerly demanded aa 
cjcplaaatipn <>f ic from Lady GranviUe* 

She helitated a few moments> and then 
taking out of her pocket the two letters 
ihe had received a fortnight b^ore— 
" TIk occalionof thefe, my dear Henry,** 
fatd IhCi " wa» my fending a draught td 
my valuable friend, to defray the ex-^ 
pence of a journey, which flie would not 
undertake, for fear of encroaching too 
far on her daughter's flender fornine. 
—Heaven grant this journey fuccefs I" 

Lord Ha^ngs read tho letters with the 
moA earneft attention ; on finilhing that 
&om Louifs, he arole with vifible emo* 
tion, returned ^m to his mother, and 
^afpiiig berhand, which he preffi:d to 
his fips, he looked at her for Ibme mo- 
C 4 ment» 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



i% IKTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
mentt with eyes that fpoke both love, 
gratitude, and admiration} thei), heav- 
ing a figh, he exclaimed, — " Oh may I 
never, never give pain to a foul fb tender, 
fo generous as yours !" and haftily quit- 
ted the room. 

He retired to his own apartment, and 
full of the fcenes which had juft pafled, 
tbok up his pen, and addreHed his friend 
Mr. Beaufort, with whom he had long 
been accuftomed to fhare eveiy thoughtj 
and who had gone lately to the univerfity 
at Cambridge, whither he was foon to 
follow : 



Tc A^. BMu/ort. 

*' As I never can enjoy any fatisfac- 

tion in which my dear Beaufort dees 

not partake, I haften to teU you, that 

the tendernefs with which I am treated 

' . -by 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS, jj 
by the beft of parents, makes me almoft 
forget the abfence of my .friend. Often 
have we admired together, the great, the 
awful virtues of a Cato, a Brutus, and « 
Fabius : . but with 'what fuperior delight 
do I contemplate thofe'of a mild, gentle, 
domeftic nature, which are daily difplay- 
ed at the caftle of Haftirigs ! With whajc 
reverence do I behold the generbfity^ 
with what gratitude feel the aficAion of 
Lord and' Lady Granville; who,, fbr* 
getting the authority of parents, cbnde- 
fcend to treat me with the confidence and 
familiarity^of friends. 

« Upon myarriraThere, I was intro- 
duced by my mother to. her moft inti^; 
mate friend, the widow of Colonel Sey- 
mour j and her daughter, a beautiful 
girl about feventeen.- The former ap-' 
pears to be fenfible, ihodell; and agreed- 
able, but in a very declining ftate of 
health. I would attempt a defcdpfion 
C5 of 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



94 rN^TBftBSTIKG MEMOIRS; 
i)f the l8tt:o>j but am awe of jrour rati* 
hoy. 1 vill 00Bfefs> hornever, I qctct 
£nf fo intereftuig a coooienance, or fo 
much beautj joined vkh Aich engaging 
fimplicity^ Far -the \a&. quality, the is 
probal}!^ indebted to her ccttred mannev 
oC life, which haa been f^M hers ac 
ft Iweec romantic farm called Springs 
wood, purchafed b^* Colonel Seymour, 
•n aeceunc af its ncarnefs to the caftlc} 
he and' my fadier haring boea intimatdji 
acquainted whe|i abroad. 

" Thefe ladies arc juft fct out on a 
vifit to the Continent, as change of cli- 
Kota U thought eiflbnuaUjr neecfiary for 
p€or Mm. Seymour. 

<* With nmeh pl«Air9 lhq^4 I have 
s^companied them, but my father wifbes 
IDC to fpead one ye4r. ait Cambridge, iq 
t^ txtiiH' of my &iend$, before jetting, 
qu; 00 noy travels*. Adwf." 
... a ^» 



D5 .ij ..Google 



INTSRESTING MEMOIRS. 

' *• You rally me, Beaufort, as I foi 
faw would be the cafc} you even pi 
flounce me downrightly in love, si 
ilffinri, t&at niy wound is already t 
deep "to bear being probed: Tou t 
me, that confcioufnefs atone could ma 
me fear the riuUery of my friend, a 
that U would have been more natural 
twenty-two to have launched out in i 
j^aiie of A young beauty,, than to 
rangiie on the virtues of an old fai 
a;nd mother. 

' *<W«lH,ei>jof yttw ftmsedpe* i 
tion^ to (tifpute Toup opkiioM, J'^ i 
|ier«etv<9, would be ta eoctfirm yo 
error. "Set^iterof youFmaliee, I v . 
a^tcinps a dtcfeiiption ofubis ahai i 
gii4, -wciff I B08 cbafeiiM^ ihM \ a 
terly inc^)»kde of ^oing' juftioci ! 
to her mini orpeilibn.; 
■ . . C 6 " B I 



i.5.-.:8dj,GOOgiC 



3$ INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

*^ Brought up at a diftance from the 
gay world, fhe blends the modefty of in- 
nocence with the eafc of poUtcncfs j flie 
is a ftranger to its cuftoms; but from 
the rcaduiets of Jier apprehenGon, the 
elegance of Ker manners, and the warmth 
of her heart, appears only to be igno- 
rant of its vices and follies. 

** The delicacy of her form agrees with' 
that of her mindi I fear {he poQeiTcs 
too great a fhare of that' Tenlibility,' 
which, though the fource of oiir moft 
cxquifite enjoyments, often too occaflons 
our moft lading inquietudes j by exp'of- 
ing ui to duiger,fi;QBa every (^udner; and 
rendering us Vulnerable on every fnie.- 
To be ferious, Beaufort, I Aiould reckon 
an attachment to Mifs Seymour a very 
real misfortune. She ieems perfet^ly 
amiable, and qualified to adorn any fta- 
doni but you are no flraftger to the 
high fpirit of my father, and cannot 
doubc 



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INTERESTINO MEMOIRS. 37 
doabt that he-wotifcl gpeitly difapprove 
of his only {on entertaining a ferious pai^ 
Gon for the daughter of a private gentle- 
man, with fcarce any other patrimony 
than the liberal education he has beftow- 
ed on her. 

" I am extremely concerned for the 
lituation of poor Talbot; his misfor- 
tunes will not be the lefs feverely felt, 
for b^ng the confequence of his own 
foily.- 

*• Poor fellow! he has many good 
qualicks J but a c^rtsun pliancy of difpo- 
fition, joined to an intemperate love of 
pleafure, is his ruin. Could you wean 
lum from the worft of all vices, gaming, 
I Ihould ftill have h<^s of his reforma- 
tion j but that 1 fear is impofllble. 
Take what method you judge moft proper 
of conveying the inclofed to htm ; do not 
mention my namcj but, if poJible, pre- 
vent 

Dig^d J. GOOgiC 



jS IKTEK.E5TIHG MZUOIS.S; 

^enc its bei4g:W^tw«i oa.vil^UinAutd 

■ '* I lliall bewith j-ou oo-Tueiilajr : tiJi 
then adiev. 



S^ot Lard Hafiirngs st Camlvidp. 

. " I am ple»fe4,. roy dew Hjipry,. fcqr' 
my promife to you, to be under the Mt^ 
cefflty of indulging myfelf. You "may 
be affuced no empU>ymeac can be half {o 
agreeable as that bf whicUniy AmU ou^ 
reap either picture or irey^rovcm^nt,. 

, »' It was with peciiliw fattsfaffcion I n-' 
marked during yous laft vifit, thac jraup 
(hidies had not been confined to what ms 
<)n]y elegant and entertaloing. but thac 
]fQi| had made fcience rather than Ulcn^ 
tur« the 9ki^ of T^t fHA^uit^ 

"The 

D.g.-«i ...Googk 



" The poffeflbrs «f ftc Ibrfiw «m 
ever modeft and referred ; thofe of the 
latter are generally proud and loqua- 
tious. The fphe/e of jeal knowledge 
is very nairow, buc Clwt immeuGry of 
^ace lies o^t} to hypothefiSy the £u 
Touritv bnfiAcft of LJcejaCurtt. 

** The CHtettf of her domain renders 
her infokiK, and the dcfeceose paid ta 
her o^nions teachea bcr t» ever-rato 
her powers. TM cafe i»iqittfe diflfb^ni: 
with Science. Noccorilcatwith ihf in- 
fermauon of others, flic e]q>lores truth 
I^ the help, of her own eyesj but con- 
feWus ^at thcfe are lia^ Co deception^^ 
and' take in only a vesy Umited proipei^^ 
ihe is afr»d no pronounce dognoaticaUy 
on any qucftion- Shfi never impioufly 
attcnipts DB pafk the ^loimdiriea which 
bme. been affigned her by Hearveo> 
and. ia ever xnoKBtaAp ta xflwne thar 
duKaftiao 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



40 INTERHSTENC MEMOIRS, 
ehara^r of the pi^il-thaii the pfe- 
ccptor. ■ 

" Good tafte, my dear Henry, is a 
powerful co-ad)utor to reafon in the cpn- 
diia of life. The perception of n^oral 
beauty is much a-ktn to that .Of natural} 
and a mind capable of receiving vivid 
hnpreffioris of the latter, will eafity feel 
the influence of the formec. , Strive theiy 
to Cultivate the love of every: thing great> 
fublime, and, beautiful, whethef.in the 
natural or moral worldj you. will find- 
this a powerful preferv:ative ^gainft thofe 
dangers to- which your youth, rank, and 
fortune peculiarly, expofc you. Unhap-. 
pily they attack ua moft powerfully at 
that period, when :we have neither 
ftrength to refift, nor fkill to elude 
their force ; but good tafte, uniting with: 
good principles, willenable you to ftand' 
your ground,' and even baffie all the aru 
of fedufkion. Farewel, To preferve 
you 

'DignzBd J. Google 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 4* 
you rircuous, in order to render you 
happy, is the conftant aim of your affec- 
tionate father, 

Granvilli." 

To the Janu. 

Cafile Haflingt. 
■ *' I fend my dear Henry the draught 
he delires, but have doubled the fuin» 
that he may be under no temptation to 
reprefs one wifli of his generous heart. ' 

** Polifhed, or, in other words, luxu- 
rious nations, arc peculiarly favourable 
to the growth of felf-love j there, indi^ 
viduals feel fo tnany wants, that their 
attention is chiefly engroffed by private 
concernments. Hence ic arlfes, that 
men acquire an extraordinary importance 
in their own eyes, and center all their 
views in the fingle point of fcIfUh. gra^^ 
tification. 

" But 



ngnzBd J, Google 



4> INTERESTING M£MOIR4. 

" But though 1 h^K you will ever find 
your.higheft enjoytTient in the exercife 
of benevolence, yet let nw warn you, 
not to be impofed on by thofc who are 
improper objefts of your bounty. In 
this cafe, your intended charity not only 
deprives the virtuous poor of their 
claims, but proves an encouragement to 
vice and floth. It is neceffity, not choice, 
that incites the lower clafles of mankind 
to aftion j and were the indigent fecur? 
of food and clothing from the opulent, 
there would be a final ceflation of in- 
duftry i and then what dreadful diforders 
would enfue ? 

** The dfiGrc of knowledge at your 
age is both naturd and proper i but take 
care that your purfuit be properly di- 
re£ted. Metaphytical refinements and 
difquifitions, whilfl they flatter the pride 
of man, miflead his judgment, and cor- 
rupt his heart ; and whiUt they deceive 
him 



I ,. Googic 



IWTERE*TINO MEMOIRS. , 
tuoa wiih pronijles of fupcrior light, fto 
from him infcnfibly thofe hopes andfeai 
which Omnifcience has aOigned as tl 
g^eat fprings of humiui conduAj an 
p}iinge huio. at length, ia darknefs an 
d«4>atr. Rdigi^B- U thc.only fure ba£ 
of moralcty. I^ ooi even iu enemi< 
confefs this, ^ticn they zcim it a pol 
tical engine? In truth, human fociei 
cannot fublift without the aid of religion 
aod the wileft legiflatures have aclcnov 
ledged, that it was fafer for the pop' 
lace CO hare a fabulous creed, than no 
atall. 

« Make religion then, my dear Hen 
ifubjeft of attcntiTe enquirj'i bat alw 
lemember it is its evidence, not its d 
trines^ of which you- are to confti 
naiftm tht j^g«. Whatercr is der 
from a Being of tnfinite wiJUom'-ntuf 
fiippf^cd lo- cttntiun'inanjrihiBgt a 
baunan comprcUttfion. The {>at 



ngnzBd J, Google 



4+ INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
duty is plains, be that your chkf 
ftudy. 

■* Your nwtber had a letter ycfterday 
from Mrs. Seymour, who- feas born the 
journey to I>over pretty weH. She and 
her amiable daoghtei- present their com- 
pliments to you. Adieu.' 

Granvii.i.e.'* 



To the jami. 

Caftle Haftuigt. 
" I hare juft been examining with at* 
tention, the abfivd -and monOrous opi- 
nions entertained by the heathen world, 
of the nature and attributes of the Deity, 
Bnd oonfefs myfelf &ocked b^ondex- 
prciUon, at human weaknefs and error. 
Where was thu reafba which phil^fopi 
phiers proudly boafted as an infallible 
guide in their rdearches after truth, 
, ^ whea 



I ,. Googic 



INTERBSTING MEMOIRS. 45 
when they adopted notions fo repugnant 
to her di£Utes ? 

."I am pcrfuaded, we who arc en- 
lightened by revelation are very incom- 
petent judges of the extent of unaffifted 
reafon ; and often attribute to her natu- 
ral force, what is the efleft of fuperna-!- 
tural illumination. Some triSing critics 
have condemned the antient poets for 
afcriblng the viftories of their heroes to 
the interpofition of their gods. " What 
merit," fay they, *' is' there in obtaining 
a conqueft by the affifbance of Jove?", 
Honier has had jufter. notions of the im- 
portance of divine aid, than many who 
call themfelves Chriftians. He faw that 
it was abfolutely neceffary to the per- 
fprmance of any great or good a&ion. 

** The ftudy of hiftory I would particu- 
larly recommend to my dear Henry. It 
preienta a wi^c field, in which you may 
collea 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



4$ INTEfeBSflNG MtM&tR^. 
coUeft a rariety of materials, highlyofe-' 
ful for the condud: of life, k has -lik<w 
wife the ftrongeft tendency to exalt our 
ideas of the Divine government, by dlf- 
playing to us the fuprcme difpofer of all 
events, educing good from evil, order 
from confufion, and rendering the deepeft 
laid plans of treachery and violence, not 
only fubverBveofrfieendsprbpofed, but 
evidently conducive to the contrary. 

*' There too, you will difcover the fii- 
perior excellency of Chriftiani ty wherever 
it has had its full eSied. I^ internal 
evidence, and natnr^ teadent^, is vrkat 
I vrould oinefly have you. to ctmTidcr. 
Bi truth, my fon, however abufed by the 
weaknefs or wickednefs of mankind> the 
Chriflian fcheme is indubitably the only 
one worthy of its great Author. Adopt 
its principles, cherilh its hopes, rely on 
its promifes -, they will give dignity and" 
confiftejKy to your charader. Fre- 
quently 

D.g.-«i ...Googk ' 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 47 
^uently contt-aft rii« of a man who join* 
piety to God with benevolence to men, 
and maintains his incegrity dirough life, 
with that of the boaftlng infidel fo ftiik- 
tagly deicribed in thefe worde : 

Vols tn ce Libercin en public intrepide, 

Qpi predle centre un Dieu que duii Con ame it 

n irnit embraller la veme qn'il voit, 
Mait dei fei faax amit 11 craint la railleri«t 
Bt ne brave ainC Dieu que par poluoniicrie. 

•* To apologize to you for being ferioas, 
would be to affront your judg;ment, and 
injure that i^«ein andeQnfiddn^e, ^ith 
which I am yoMr finciepe frieDd} aa well 
as your afiedtioo&te f«bf£i 

GaAKTI-LLI." 

Mrs. Seymour .and her daughter 
reached Dover without any crofs acci- 
dent. While they waited for the pac- 
quet, a coach drove into the yard, the 
liveries 

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4t INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
liveries of which Mrs. Seymour inftantly 
recollefted to belong to the Honourable 
Mr. Stanhope, witii whofe family the had 
become acquainted, whilft on a vifit at 
Lxindon. He was poflelTed of an ample 
fortune, but had the afflidtion to fee his 
only fon In fo alarming a fiate of health 
after a fall from his htirfe> that, by ad- 
vice of his phyficians, Mr. and Mrs. 
Stanhope were refolved to carry him 
abroad, to try the effed of a warmer 
climate. 

■l^w things could have proved more 
fortunate or agreeable to the two families, 
than this rencounter ; they immediately 
joined c<Hiipames ; the anxieties of Mrs. 
Stanhope's mind were considerably alle- 
viated by communicating them to her 
fcnfifale friend } and the languor infepa- 
rable from bad health, awakened in the 
compafliotute bofom of Louifa a degree 
of 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 49 
of folicitude to amufe young Mr. Stan- 
hope, which often made him forget that 
he had any caufe of complaint. 

They arrived at Paris at a time whea 
travellers would have found objefts fuf- 
ficient to gratify both tafte and curiofity { 
but, health being the fole end of their 
purfuit, they declined accepting the 
many polite invitations they received 
from people of the firft falhion, to whom 
they had brought letters of recommen- 
dation. In confequcnce of one of thefc, 
the Marchionefs de St. Croix waited on 
Mrs. Seymour, and urged her in fuch 
ftrong, yet polite terms, to accompany 
her for a few days to her delightful villa 
on the borders of the Foreft: of St. Ger- 
main's, that it was impoflible to rcfufc 
her rcqueft. 

The Marchionefs was a widow ; her 

family confifted of a fon and three daugh- 

VoL, I. D ters, 

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40 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
-ters, all of whom were educated in a 
«)anner fuitable to their birth j but their 
fortune being very fmall, as is cuftomary 
in France, two of them were dcftined 
ito the conventual Jifc 

Adelaide the youngeft, who had been 
Some time a boarder in the Nunnery 
,of St. Cire, was now on a vifit to her 
.mother, before entering on her noviciate 
ihere. She was about two years older 
Tthan Mifs Seymour i alike amiable and 
engaging, though not poflefl: of fuch 
jregular beauty. When thefc two ladies 
met, the imprcflion they made on each . 
.other was too ftrong ever to be crazed. 
Philofophers tell us, when kindred fouls 
x:ome within the fpherc of each other's 
influence,, they as naturally attrafl: and 
;are attrafted by each other, as homoge- 
neous bodies. 

An air of melancholy, fpread over the 
jfQft ipatu^'cs pi" Adelaide, fcnfibly touch- 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 51 
ed the heart of Louifa, which vlbrattd 
to every exprcflion of tendcrnefi. 

Strangers to fufpicion or dlfguife^ the 
unhappy fruits of commerce with the 
world, their friendship commenced at 
firft fight. 

In forming an amicable connexion, 
there is no need of laying down rules, or 
fpecifying the duties incumbent on the 
icveral parties. The foul which is ca- 
pable of that exalted ifnion, will itfelf 
fuggeft every fentiment, and lead to 
■every adion, which real friendlliip in- 
Tolvcs in it. 

Daring her refidencc at the Villa de . 
St. Croix, Mrs. Seymour was fo much 
«cruited, that flie fometimes prevailed 
with her daughter to accompany tha 
Marchionefs to Paris, in order to Ihare 
in the public amufemcnts. Bat how in- 
JD 2 . fipid 

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?a INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
fipld to her were the moft brilliant ai^ 
femblics; in which her heart took no 
intereft, compared with thofe placid 
hours -which flie fpent with her favou- 
rite Adelaide in the country ! Indeed, 
the hurry and buftle of public life only 
fervc, with pcrfons of her charafter^ 
more tp eodear the quiet of retirement. 

She returned to St. .GermainSj wiitli a 
a double relifh for its peaceful Ihades 
and innocent amufemcnts ; and looked 
back witli pity on thofe who purfuc 
pleafure.w*ith fucli eagercefs, that they 
generally run it down in the chace. 

Mrs. Seymour received a letter from 
Mrs. Stanhope, informing her of her 
reTolution of fpending the remainder of 
the winter at Montpelier, and entreat- 
ing her to accompany her thither. The 
heart of Louifa was divided on this oc- 
fafion i as her mother was fenfibly bet- 



ng^d.-GOOgk' 



rXTBRESTINa MElWOiftS. ^ 
tcT, flie was ftrongly tempted to yield tcr 
the folicitations of her gentle frierid, 
who ui'gcd her to fpend fome time with 
her in the Convent before the awifiil ce- 
remony of her a^niflion. 

As there were fom^ branches of edit' 
cation, particularly mufic, ' in which 
Ijoutft recjoired ftill further inftructions, 
Mrs. Seymour joined her entreaties with 
thofe of Adelaide ; and at laft perfuaded 
hcr duteous and affeftlonatc child, to 
commit her, for a (hort time, to the care 
of Mr. and Mrs. Stanhope, and returi* 
with Adelaide to St. Clre. ' 

By an appHcation to the refpeftabfc 
foundrefs of this noble inftitutron, Mir* 
Seymour wa» admitted there as a boarder;, 
though not being of the noblefle, thi* 
was an infr'lngeonent of the eftabliQicd 
rules i but that convent being then in 
D 3 its. 



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5^ INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

its infancy, engaged Madam Ma^ntenon 

^odifpenfe with them on this -occaiion. 

She was greatly ftruck with the firft 
Tiew of this noble edifice, and the mag- 
nificent park of Verfailles in which it is 
fituatedi but her walks were chiefly 
confined to the gardens, where alone 
flie could enjoy -the fociciy of her be- 
loved friend. 

The melancholy which Louifa had 
formerly remarked in Adelaide, feemed 
to increaie every day j ana was tecome 
fo habitual, that Ihe could not help 
fufpefting it arofe from diQikc to the 
manner of life on which (he wa& ajsout 
TO enter. 

She queftioned her with much earneft- 
nefs on the fubjeft; and conjured her, 
by their mutual friendlhip, to lay open 
her heart to her without referve j to re- 
ceive 



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ITTTERESTING MEMOiRs; jy 
ccive the confolation of her fympathy>- 
and confide ' in her inviolable attach-- 
■ment. 

Adelaide appeared fo much affeded^ 
during this difcourfc, that Louifa be- 
gan to repent having introduced it. At 
length, burfting into tears, " O my 
Louifa, cried ihe, why fliould I longer 
ftrive to conceal from you the forrow 
that preys upon my heart ! Yes, my 
■friend-,.^ anv indeed unhappy, but no*, 
from the caufe you imagine. 

** You- have a cfaim to my utmoft". 
confidence J and believe me, the only 
reafon for withholding it, hSs been a re-, 
gard to your cale and honour.- I feared ■ 
left my mother (hould have cfaeftioned- 
you on a fubje£t> which would have 
forced you either to have facrificed your 
own ingenuity, - or the peace of your' 
' friend,' 

D 4 " Yott3 

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S€ INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 

** You have heard my brother men- 
tion the name of Grammont, with thofc 
encomiums which are due to his merit. 
Before joining his regiment, in which 
he holds only the rank of a captain, he 
came to fpend fame weeks with my 
brother at St. G«rmains. Prepared to 
admire his talents by the enthufiaflic 
praifes of his friend, I foon learnt alio 
to love his virtues by acq^uaintance with 
htmfclf. Oh, Louifa ! what fcience is 
fo eafily acquired as that of admiring 
merit; what tranfition is' fo natural as 
from admiring to loving it? 

** But I will not tire you with a re- 
petition of the various circumftahces 
which confirmed my opinion of Gram- 
mont's uncommon virtues ; fufHce it to 
fay, that I revered them in my heart, 
■yrhich could not withhold its moft tcn- 
der affeftion from a man, who folicited, 
with timid modefty, that efteem he had 
» right 

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TNTERESTING MEMOntS; 57 
aright to claim, and implored my for^ 
givenefs for prcfuming to love mej a 
fault which my own experience proved 
to ' be involuntary, my own fceltngs- 
taught me to excufe.. 

" For fome time we werefo intoxr- 
cated with the delightful indulgence 
of our mutual tendernefsj that we forgot 
the obftacles which oppofed dur union. 
I am convinced, Louifa, the world af- 
fords not a happinefs equal to that of 
indulging a tender reciprocal affe^ion;. 
founded in virtue, approved' by rcafon^ 
endeared by confidence, and fccured by 
delicacy. There is even a peculiar 
charm conneftcd with the fecret poflef^ 
fion of joys, that are npt common. Out 
youth, want of fortune, and thc-life to 
which I was deftined, were obftacles in 
the eye of reafon, which were altogether 
infurmountable i but, ,, 

Love bidj ui hope, where Reafon biijj derpair;'— 
D 5 ■ awd! 

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5S INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
and either from a natural &&ivity, or 
confcious elevation of mmd, we take 
pleafure in conquering difficulties in the 
attainment of our favourite purfuits. 

** The. time for joininghis regiment 
drew near. Already the King's troops^ 
had takcA the field, and thofe of the 
Marftial invcfted the fortrefs of — — , 
What a reparation for iwo hearu that 
fo greatly Iqyed and feared as ours- did ! 
The" evening before his departure. Gram- 
mont prevailed on me to meet him in 
the garden,;, at an hour whpn the reft of 
the family were engaged with cards and 
mufic, that our parting might be with- 
outwitrieffcs. — Oh, Louifa! fliall I ever 
forget that hour ? How often, when 
fitting in the arbour that borders the 
eanal, have you chid mc for my penfivc 
looks and wandeijing incoherent exprcf- 
fions ! Ah, my friend ! you know noL 
the tender recoUeftions that then over- 
powered 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. j?' 
ppw«red my foul. Alas ! at this mo- 
ment I am almoft tempted to wilh I 
had never knoifn him who occafioned- 
them. 

" After a thoufand proteflations of in-- 
violablif affection and fidelity, a thoU'* 
fand adieus interrupted by our fighs, . 
and prolonged, by our apprehenfibns, . 
Grammont, dropping on his knees, and 
holding both my hands> which he bath- 
ed with his tears, pronounced this fo — 
lemn farewell : " Almighty God ! the ■ 
protcftor of virtue and innocence, pro — 
te£t and blefs my Adelaide; and grant ' 
that the ftroke of death alone may di-- 
tide two hearts, which from this mo- - 
mcnt are eternally devoted to each 
other." He arofe, clafped me to hjs^ 
bofom, which feemed burfting with the 
violence of his. emotions, and haftily- 
viihdrcw. 

US "Therr- 



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6o INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

•• There was bo need for pretending 
indifpoficioD, in order to account for my 
retiring to my. apartment j I was indeed 
inolently ill for fomc hours. In the 
morning, however, I arofe, about the 
time I fuppofed Grammont would fee 
out. From the window of my dreffing- 
room there was a view of the court 
yard. He had once feen me there, on 
occafion of looking at a beautiful horfe 
which my brother had purchafed, and 
was defirous to fhew me. I leaned my 
aching head againft the ftiutter, which 
I kept half clofed for fear of obferva- 
tion 1 I had not ftood long, before the 
fervant appeared with the herfes ; Gram- 
njont followed flowly^pale and dtjefted* 
with his eyes fixed on the ground; when 
fuddenly recollecting himfelf, he ftopt, 
and waving his hand for the fervant to 
go on, he turned towards the window. 
I ventured to open the fhutier; he. in- 
Aantly perceived me i a blufli over- 
fpread 



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IJ^TERESTING MEMOTRS. ft 
fpread his pale cheeks, and clafping his 
hands together, he raifed his fine eyes 
to Heaven ; then, turning them on me 
with a look — O, Louifa ! that had fome- 
thing I fear of prophetic fadnefs in hj 
gave a deep figh, flew to the gate, 
mounted his horfe, and difappeared in a 
moment. 

" Pardon, my friend, this minute de- 
tail of circumftances, the recolleftioa of 
which fupports my weak fpirits, and 
forms all my enjoyment. 

•* For three months, Grammont con- 
trived to write to me almoft every poll. 
How foothing, how delightful is that 
fecret- intcrcourfe, to which an attach- 
ment like ours gives birth ! The whole 
creation, animate and inanimate, fccins 
fubfervieat to the happinefs of thofe 
whofe hearts love hath joined,, but whofe 
bands fortune hath put afunder. 

** Averfe 



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«« INTERESTING- MEMOIRS.. 

" Avcrfe to cntnift- our fecret with » -. 
third perfon, anlTrerolved never to re- 
quire from any of my domeftics, for my 
convenience, a violation of that duty 
which they, might plead my example ' 
for facrificing. to their own, 1: made- 
Grammont addrefs his letters under co- 
ver to a young lady in. the convent j 
from whence I received them withOuc 
incurring fufpicion, as I correfponded ! 
with feveral of the boarders. 

" Ah, my Louifa'! how tender, ho^ 
fenfible, how pathetic is the language' 
they breathe ! But you Ihall judge for ■ 
yourlelf. The two laft which I received 
about a month before leaving St. Gcr- 
mains, I have now -in my pocket: Judge 
of the happlncfs they afforded me i and' 
oh ! tell me, what am I to think of the . 
dreadful filcnce by which it has been 
fucceeded ? 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. &i 

To Addaidt deSt. Croix. 

" How little, .my charming Ade- 
laide, do they know of the tender tic 
which binds our very fouls in one, wha 
dread abfence asinjuriows to the ardour 
and delicacy of real love ! Ours has been 
but Jhort,. yet it has proved,' that the 
right I derive from affedlion to the un- 
divided heart of the moft an^iablc of. 
women, is ftiU ftronger than. I could 
have believed. It has convinced me 
more than ever, that I love you, — O 
Adelaide ! that I love you with a fond- 
toefs, an admiratioB, an unremitting, 
conftancy, which no words can exprefs. 
Surely, nothing fliould difturb me, whilft 
I read alTurances of your happinefs, and 
the moft enchanting expreflions of your 
afFedion > yet, Oh> my Adelaide I my , 
heart is a prey to numberlefs anxieties. 
The diftancc that divides us, my dan- 
gerous 



i.5.-.:8dj,Google_ 



d4 INTERESTING HEMOntS. 
gcrous fituation, our circumftances — yet 
let me not cruelly add my inquietudes 
to thofe of my gentle fove. Hope is 
the fweeteft as well as the moft falutary 
ingredient in the cuj* of. life. Let us 
cherilh hope^ 

" Let uB truft, that the beneficent 
Author of our being, who hath condudt- 
cd us to each other, and blended our 
£ates in that delightful union in which 
our chief happinefs confifts, will con ti- 
nije our prefcat felicity, till that period 
arrive, when age fiiall ripco both of us 
for an unreluftant paflage ' .into -that 
world, where love, fecure againft all 
apprehcnfion, is indulged without mea- 
fjure and without fear.. 

*' The time I employ in reading your 

Ictter-s feems the only valuable portions 

of my exiftence. Write to mc then, 

my beloved Adelaide, every little plan 

you^ 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 65 
you form, and every incJUent that oc- 
curs in the execution of it. Think no- 
thing that regards you too trivial for 
me. It will gratify mc in a thoufand 
ways; particularly by affifting that con- 
ftant propenfity of my imagination to 
accompany you in every fituation. The 
heavenly bodies are now the only 6bjc£ts 
which we can behold at the fame timci 
they are vehicles of a kind of filent in- 
tercourfe between tbofe who figh at a. 
diftancc from each other. Look up, 
and remember me at the hour of nine,- 
the laft; we fpent together. 1 will not 
fail, at the fame hour, to think of my 
Adelaide, and fervently commend her 
to the proteilion of Heaven. 

" We have often agreed, that to us 
there are pleafurea even in abfence, more 
exquiGte, more reHned, than~any of thofe 
which bear that name in the world. — 
What then, O Adelaide ! will be our 
felicity 

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46 INTERESTTING MEMOTffg. 
ielicity wheir we meet ?— When, evtry 
anxious care and apprehenfion baniQied 
from our hearts, they {hall glow with 
the conftant aim, the delightful con- 
fciaufnef* of rendering, each other com- 
pletely happy i 

" If thefc cxpe(aation& are romantic^ 
and extravagant, time alone can correct 
them i for reafon aflures me, that thfere 
is no wifli nay heart can form, which the 
merit and tendernds of the moft excel- 
lent of women is not capable ©f- folflli 
ling. 

•* Farewell Let us fiipport eacK: 
other with reflefting, that ev^ry hour 
is leffening the period that divides us,, 
whilft it is adding ftrength to that de- 
lightful tendcrncfs which fliall bind us- 
to each other for ever. 

J. GHAMMONTi'*" 

To 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



]KT£SESTmG MEMOIRS- 



Jtf tbe/ame, 

** At length, moft beloved of women f 
your fond lover, your faithful fricnd> 
taftes of real tranfport, by being able 
to communicate it to you. A few mo- 
ments are all I can at prefent Command, 
to exprefs to you an affcfliion which- 
occupies my whole foul, and {hall be as- 
lafting as my life. On occaTion yeHer- 
day .of a fd\\y from the fort, I obtained 

pwmiflion to head a fmaU party, "Wfr 
were fuccefsful beyond my hopes : The 
Marelhal applauded my condutft, ii^ 
terms better fuited t& hfs gencrofity 
than my merit ; and promifed to ad- 
vance me to the rank of major on the 
very firli vacancy* 

" See, my bcft lave f does not for- 
tune already relent, and ceafe to oppofe 
our wifttes ? Or rather, does not Hea- 
ven 

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£S INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

ven itfelf fmile on an affeftion, whicli) 
at once it infpires and approves ? Che- 
rifh thofe hopes which now wholly pof- 
fefs my delighted bofom j beguile the 
tedious lingering hours of ab&nce, by 
conftantly wfiting to me : Your letters 
animate me with the love of virtue, as 
well as of fame. What would the lat- 
ter av^l towards that felicity to which 
we afpire, if not defcrvcd by the fot- 
meii 

*' Adieu, dear Ibarer of all my joys ? 
foon may they be redoubled' by gartici^ 
pation ; foon may my eyes and my 
throbbing Heart tell you, Iiow tenderly, 
how conftantly, you are beloved ! Your 
own will beft convince you, how un- 
^eakably dear you are to 

Your ever faithful' devoted', 

•• I purpofely avoid fubfcribing this, 
as it goes by a courier, and I know- ncrt 
into whofe hands it may fall."" 

While 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 69 
■While Lpuifa was perufing this letter, 
A lay-fifter entered haftily, and acquaint- 
ed Adelaide, that a young man in the 
habit of a domeftic, demanded to fee 
her alone> and was waiting in the par- 

Louifa. put the letter in her pocket, 
and was about to retire ; but Adelaide 
entreated her to accompany her to the 
grate, as Ihe found herfclf feized with 
fo univerfal a tremour, that fhe could 
hardly walk, and was afraid of fainting. 
Mifs Seymoor fupported her friend into 
the parlour J on entering which, they 
perceived a genteel young man, in a 
fuit of plain clothes, with whofe face, 
though concealed in part by a handker- 
chief, Adelaide thought flic was not 
entirely unacquainted. 

■On feeing Louifa, he paafed, as if 
averfe to communicate his nieflagc be- 
fore any witnefs. Adelaide gueffed th^ 

caufe 

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76 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
xaufc of his filence : This is my friend, 
~Sit, faid ftie, you may acquaint me 
-with your commands without hefita- 
tion. 

He moved towards the grate; and 
prefenting a letter to Adelaide with in- 
imitable grac^, « 1 am forry. Madam, 
faid he, in aHow voice, to be the bearer 
•of this : I wi(h the contents could have 
"been for ever concealed from you ; but 
that cannot be. May. this be the laft 
jiang that fhall wound your gentle bo- 
fom ; and in this afylum, if you can- 
not hope for happlnefsj may yo« at leaft 
-attain reiignation [" 

The yoimg man retired; but the afto- 
nifliment into which his words and man- 
ner had plunged the two friends, . left 
them neither power to detain, nor refo- 
lution to interrogate him concerning 
ffeir myftcrtous meaning. Adelaide 
unfolded 

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aNTERESTING MEMOIRS, jx 
tiofolded the letter, from which fome^ 
thing dropt on the ground, which her 
agitation prevented her from obfcrving. 
The hand was unknown to her, but the 
name of Rochelle at the bottom was not 
foj ihe inftantly recollefted that the 
young Count who bore that name, had 
aecotnpanied Gramniont on his firfl vi- 
fit to St. Germains, and fhe had heard 
him lavifh in his praife. 

A thoufand confufed aoS. terrible 
amages crowded into her nwnd; and ihe 
trembled fo violently, that it was with 
the utmoft difficulty flie perufed thefe 
Jines. 

'To Adelaide de Sf. Croix. 

*• Unable to witnefs the affli£tionof 
the beauteous Adelaide, which can only 
"be eqaalicd by my own, I t^e this me- 
thod of conveying to her the laft adku 
of the nobleftj bcft of men, 

" O ! 

D5 .ij,.Go"ogic 



7« INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

" O ! may Heaven fupport you hc«, 
and unite you hereafter to him you 
loved ! Of all the world, ye were alone 
worthy of each other. 

Raymond de Rochelle." 



The, letter dropt from the hand of 
Adelaide, and ftie fell without life into 
the arms of her friend. 

After a few moments ihe opened her 
eyes, and fixing them on Loiiifa, with a 
look that pierced her to the foul : " At 
length, faid Ihe, my fears are confirmed, 
my happinefs is no more. O God, why 
was I permitted to enjoy fupreme feli- 
city, that I might feel the whole mifery 
of being deprived of itl But X will 
not murmur. I know I am blind 
and ignotant ; thou art ever juft and * 
good." 

Afraid 

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INTERESTING MEMOtRS. 75 
Afraid of being obferved in this dU 
firefltnglitu^tioiii I^ouifa raifed her friend 
from the ground, in order to convey her' 
to her eel]. At that moment Ihe ob- 
ferved the biUeH which had dropt outof 
the .letter, and which fhe immediately 
flipt into her pocket; Having given 
orders that nobody ftiould enter till 
called, flie ^ut Adelaide to bcdj and 
throwing hericlf down by her fide, gave 
free courfe to thofc tears which ferved to ' 
relieve her burfting heart. ■ Adelaide re- ■ 
mained a long time without fenfe or 
motion. Her eyes were open, but nei- ■ 
■ ther fighs nor tears efcaped her. A cold- 
nefs; Uke that of death, feized her 
trenlbling limbs,' and Louifa became 
' fo terrified with her danger, that fhc 
had recourfe - to the bell fcM- affiftance. ' 
Having procured fame cordials, which 
Adelaide' fwallowed wirfiout oppofition- 
or remonftrance^ (he became fomcwhat 
eafier j and at laft fo fai'recoUe&ed her- ■ 
Vol. I. E felf, 

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74 INTERESTING MEMaiRS. 
£tlf, as to inquire about the billet, 
wfaofe contents Ihe at once dreaded and 
longed to pertire. 

Louila knew it would be in vain to 
deny her requeft, and^ ^oped by griiAt. 
ing it, ihe might prp^re her friend the. 
relief of tears. Befides, ihe was not ig- 
norant of the danger Adelaide would 
incurj if naturci thus wholly overpower- 
ed and in&nfiblti Jhould not be awaken- 
ed^ to feel and to d^lore its own 
wretcfaednefs. What' a mournful pnx^ 
of human imbecility does fuch a fitua- 
tion exhibit, when to a total fufpen- 
lion of its powers, the mind is indebted 
for their prefervation j and when our-, 
boafted Rafon, reflored to its feat, inftead 
,of combating our Ibrrowsi only fupplies 
nev jc^cufes for indulging them. She 
prefented her with the billet, which 
Adelaide requeued her. to read aloud, 
but the tafk was iinprafticable. AlmtA 
fuffbCftcd 

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INTERESTmO MEMOIRS. 71 
iuffocated with che violcoce of her emo- 
tionsi (he returned it to Adcl«de, .wlio»i 
«n pcnifing Ita melancholy contents* 
caught the infcAious tendernels of for- 
row Aom her friend, and diflblved in « 
fiood of tears. 



Tc Jdelai& ie St, Oviuc 

■ <* A few moments are granted me by 
Heaven, to cake a long, a laft farew^L 
Oh, Adelude ! Oh, my adored miftreftl 
—my fpodly ejcpe£ted wife ! — where are 
now QMr dreams of happineft } Thejr 
are fled for -ever } and have left me equal* 
ly unable to tear myfelf from this worlt^ 
or to prepare for another. Even whilft 
I write, my vital current ftops i a wound 
in my tide has almoft drained its fourcea. 
The hope of foon returning to you, in- 
^ired me mth a courage too ardent 
j^d impetuous. Forgive noe, Addaidel' 
£ 2 I have 



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7* INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
1-iia.ve. ruined your peacei b^ my rsth- 
nefl.- . . ■ y 

*' Strive to motierate your forrow;' 
the thought of k diflraits me.' Makt 
now a Voluntary facrjfice of yourftlf to 
Heaven, to which the zeal of your 
friends was impelling you. I truft it, 
will be acce^tcd.-^— The pen drops 
from my trembling hand. — Yet a few 
y^ars, Adelaide, and we Ihall tatctf ne- 
ver tQ'(«at> iepaFfttion more i Led this 
confole you. — -My foul ! my Adelaide,. 
farewel ! Oh, farcwel for ever ! Love, 
^ty, and forgive me $ but bcvcp, O ne- 
TW&rget- 



.,I.4i}gli9ge can but faintly exprefs the 
nviag^ emotions . of grief, ^fniration» 
q0d ^fpair, which , alternately .-ttgitated 
die ibi^Aa of the.uohappy Adelaide. 
' " Louifa 

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■iNTEREs'llNO MEMOIRS, i^ 
Jjjou'ifz Was not ignorant, that to at- 
tempt by rcafoning to moderate a forrow 
fo juft, was only to add to its violence. 
In truth, Ihe knew not to reafon, thbugt 
cxquifitely to feel ; • and the" filence of 
her fytnpathy produced that effeft oh 
the heart of Adelaide, which neither 
religion nor philofophy for forrte time 
could have wrought. The paitions ex- 
hauft therrtfelvcs "with their own vio» 
Icnce ; and where fo many contend for 
doniinlon in the huffian foul, the powers 
of each are weakened.— God is to the 
moral and intelleftual, what ' the fuii is 
ilb the natural' World,— the- fotrrele of 
light, life, and joy. And man "can lib 
more be happy without intfircouric witH 
his Makerj^ than i^ants can thrive and 
vegetate without the behign influences 
of that glorte'us luminary .'J'" Cold aiia 
dai'knefs are felt by the heavertly ijodi^i 
in proportion to their diftance from- the 
f«nj juft fo does it fare witk the foul 
E3 of 

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79 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
of man. In profperitf, the bountiful 
Giver is obfcured by the multiplicity of 
hU gifts. Thefe, like rapours from the 
heated earth, rife and interpofe between 
man and his Maker. But no fooner doe» 
the tcmpeft of adverfity defcend, than 
the cloud is dilperfedi and defolate and 
forlorn, he feels all the neceOities of 
his nature ; his weaknefs and depend- 
tnce, hia hopleOhefs and need of Divine 
aid } and returns, repentant, to duty, to 
happinefs, and God. 

A few weeks faw Adelaide rcftored to 
that calm and fettled melancholy, which 
arifes from the hopeleflhefs of enjoy- 
mcnt, but is often miftaken by the world 
for a fpecies of it. One yet remained ta 
her, th^tof pouring her forrows without 
reftraiat into the faittUut bofom of 
friendihip, vid in^iulgtng continually 
thofe tender recolle^ons, which were fi> 
foodung to her mind, that at times thqr 
made 



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INTERESTir^G MfeWorRS. 79 
made her almoft foi^t the fatal crenc 
which gavb them birth; 

During the retnumng moochs of her 
noviciate, which was Ihoitcned at her re- 
qae&t Adelaide ftrore tv prepare her 
mind for the folemn dedication of herfelf 
to Heaven. It required but Httle refo- 
lution to abandon a world, Where her 
peace had been wrecked,' and from 
frhich Ihe neither expcdctdaot wilhed t$ 
receive happinefi* 

A< the fpring was now advanced, and 
Mrs. Seymour felt her ftrength rather 
decreallng, ihe bccaoie extremely anxioui 
to return to £ngland< 

Her young fellow-trsVcUer had ex- 

per'ienced much happier effeSb from 

change of climate » die pun iti his fide, 

occofioned by the fallj had entirely left 

£ 4 biniy 



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«« INTERESrmG MEMOIRS. 
Jiim, and his impatience to return feem- 
ed to equal Mrs. Seymour's. 

■. It originated, however, from a fecrct 
and very different caufe. The humane 
atttntions beftowed on him by her chai'm- 
Ing daughter, at a time when the dejcd-- 
ed fpirits and foftened heart are particu- 
larly fehfible to kindnefs, had made a 
Jafting impreflton on Mr. Stanhope's j 
tmd efteem and admiration; combined 
with gratitude to infpire ifxen with a 
pallion, which he was at no pain3 to 
fupprefs; becaufehe Was confcious of 
nothing which fliould have oppofcd hfs 
indulging it. - - 

At length the day was fixed> on which 
the 'unfortunate . and afBifbed Adelaide 
was. to enter diofe facred «alfs^ whickj 
)ike the grare, were for- ever to conceal 
her forrowsr Hajipy,'- if ^ke^ the grave 
. -- •!' ^ tbey 



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INTERESTING MEMPI*,^ »J 
they could have banUhcd the remcmr- 
brance of them. 

The travellers haftened their departure 
ffxan MontpeIier> that they oijigh;; vit- 
nefs the awful ccremonyj .Loyifa foun4 
this a very fcvcrc wiai to her weak 
fpiritSj as. the cpncourfe of (iot(i]ity.,4f. 
fcmbkd for thw pyrpof&was very gfe?t» 
Madam Maintenon, as abbej^, tiad ^ fe^t 
placed n^af the, altiVr round -which the 
yjoung priocefles attended. Mifa Sey- 
mour was. allojred Ip fapppct .her.^i^- 
ed friend during the whole ceremonj».-TT 
She alone knew what need fte had of 
fi^port. The iblcmn ftrvice begart'^— 
The pealing organ, ccQ)Qnfi,ve-,to the en- 
chanting voices of the cholrlfterftj alter- 
nately di0blved the foul in tcndernel^ 
elevated it with bopie, or rkpt it in 
adoration, and praife;-^^— ^The .nmrfic 
ceafed: The pri^yers of aU.',prefont wfere 
requefted to aid thoTeof the jiouugrfiantj 
£ j and 

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U INTBRESTING MEMOIRS, 
and the grace of tlK Moft High im- 
plored to animate her fadth, and coofirm 
her reiblutions. 

The prieft arofe, and conduced her to 
tiie door of the cell where Ihe was to be 
ftripped of all thofe omamciits with 
which, as is cuftomarf, her friendft had 
richljr adorned her for the occafioo. A 
folemn and aSe&ing fiknce enfued. 
The lovely viftim returned, clad in her 
difinal habit, and walking fteadily up to 
die altar, kneeled before it to receive the 
vfcU. 

One proof only remuned to fhew her 
fixed refolutlon of renouncing the vanities 
of the world, and to complete the cere- 
mony of her dedication t— that of part- 
ing with her fine hur, which flow«i in 
abundance over her neck and jhoulders, 
and fliaded a face, whofe beauty the traces 
of recent affiiOioa had leoderediufpeak- 
ably 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. ff| 
ably Ouching. As ihe bent her head 
forward for this purpofe, with a look Of 
patient and peaceful rcfignation, Ihe was 
ftartlcdby a heavy groan> which proceed' 
cd from the gallery appointed for fhole 
who were only Ipedaton of this f»- 
lemnity. 

A buftle enfued, which direded the 
eyes of all towards the gallery. Hers 
inEtantly recognized there the face <^ 
the Count de RocheUe, who, yielding to 
his extreme curiofity to behold this af- 
fe^lng'fcene} felt himlelf fo violent/ 
agitated with the fight of Adelaide, and. 
recollection of her misfortunes, that he 
funted in theanns erf" young Stanhope^ 
whom chance had placed next him. 

Various were the conje&ures occaCtoil- 
ed by this accident : The cSe£t pro- 
duced by it on the mind of Adelaide, is 
AOt to be defcribed. She alone knew 
£ 6 thfl 



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«+. rNTERESTING MEM-OIRS, 
the nature of thofefentimentswhich pc-- 
cafioned it, and her grateful, though op- 
prefled heartj fighed in fympathy with 
that of the generous and compalHonftte 
Rochelle. The interruption to the cere- 
mony, caufed by this affair, gavf jb^r 
time a little to recover herfeif, and fhe 
went through the remaning part of it 
with tolerable compofure.. . ,^ , , 

. As nothing is fo irkfome to a mind in 
deep affliftion, as the exertion neceifary 
for mixing with an . unfeeling world, 
Adelaide found .the folitude 'of,a con- 
vent not only agreeable but' latat'ary. 
The confolations of religion bpewted 
there with full force, and knowing how 
prone the mind is, after being violently 
agitated with pafllon, to.fink into liftlefs- 
nefs, Ihe endeavoured to occupy her 
tirnc with fuch employments and amute- 
ments.as recommended themlelves at 
<?ncc by their novelty and importance. 
I. B, 



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IKT£REStlNG MBMOIRS. tf 
By' degrees, the gloom JOf misfortune 
was exchangcd.ibr dw^fcrcnity of hopcj 
and thbughihe feldom caftcd of pleafure, 
peeicieltccamc the conftaiu inmate of her 
ttpTofn. ■ ,; . -■ f . - ■ • 

A few days after feeing her. friend pro-' 
feft, Mifs Seymour took a lafl affecting 
farewelofSc.Circ and its beloved inhabit- 
ants. We feel a fort of fadred cnthufiafm 
for the place, where firft our tender pal- 
fions have been awakened^ The anguifh 
the felt on bidding Adelaide adieu, was 
extreme ; but it was foon in great mea- 
fure obliterated, by fear and anxiety about 
her mother, whofe worfl: fymptoms now- 
recurred with" redoubled' violence. 

During their journey to Calais, young 
Stanhope had an opportunity of repay- 
ing the former attentions of Mifs Sey- 
mour, and of Ihewina^ the goodnefi of 
his own heart, whilft every day increafed 
his admiration of hers. 

The 

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96 INTSRESTIN6 MEMOIRS. 

The abfence df her friend was noyr 
teverdy felt by LouUk} and as they were 
obt%ed to rem^A fome days at Calus to 
recruit Mrs. SeynKmr^ ihe en^Ioyed 
every fpare moment in communicscing 
-to her the diftrefs with wluch ftie wa» 
OTcrwhclmed. 

To MfiaiJe it St. Croix. 

** I am divided from you> my beloved 
friend, at the very inftant when 1 mofl: 
required your pious inftru^tions and 
tender fympathy. My mother's com- 
plaints daily increafe, and fear and fuf* 
pence are now added to the affliftioa 
inth which your misfortunes almoft 
overwhelmed me. Oh ! why am I not 
permitted to dwell with you at a di- 
ftance (Vom the world, or armed with 
more, courage to encounter its dangers ! 
Without parents— without fortune— aU 
moft^ithouc fnends,^wlia^ my Ade> 
laide, 

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INTERESTING MBMOIItS. t^ 
bddc, vill become of me ? . n . Strive 
to inlpire me vith a portion <^ your 
heavenly reQgnanon, to um me with 
the fortitude neceOkty for my prefenc 
trying fitiiation ; and Oh ! if [K>fllble> 
teach me to check thofc eril forebodings 
ofadifturbed imsgination, which area 
a thoufand times more infupportable 
than real calamity. 

** Write to me conftantly, my beloved 
friend i the tendernefs of yovriympathy 
will at lead alleviate my forrow, if the 
ifiHuence of your example does not ejw 
tirely regulate my coodud. Adieu'. 

. Louisa SBvuotrK.*' 



To Mifs S^fmoar. 

«• My heart Ihores tenderly in the 
difirds of my friend; but, alas 1 I aitf 
neither qualified by years nor expertenee 

CQ 

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88 IMTEKB&TING'MEHOTRa 
.to be herc6ndu6C^efs throiighliEhe diffi^ 
cult miizes of lift. I am notycc-atvivad 
at that blirsful tranqoilUty 'nnj.-whichii 
you congrdcutate met Officious mtmo-' 
ry ftill awakens Tuch dear, yet danger*^ 
ous' TCcbUeiJtions, ^convey toray foul 
all the bitternefs of difappointed hope. 
Oh, Louifa ! there is a charm In loving 
and being beloved, in feeling one's ^felf 
the continual fource of joy and happi- 
ncfs'to the bbjcft of one's bell: and moft 
tender afFeftions,' that' takes fuch hoTd' 
of the imagination, as noneof thefubfc- 
qaent evils of life haye power to oblite^ 
rate. ■ Experience has taught mc too,' 
that the heart will continue to figh> 
even afcer the foul is refigned. Ah, 
my. friend ! what arrow pierces fo deep,, 
what wound bleeds fo often, what an- 
guilh lafts lb long, as that occafioned by 
tkijjde^th c^ thofe we love ? Witji what 
aicender niixture, of' pleifuf^ and regrec 
do^^ dwell on theiEvirfi^i wichwhat, 
cageroefs 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. f^ 
cagcrnefs liften to their praife; whilft 
fame docs juftke to their merit, and envy 
is filent, for there is no competition in 
the grave ? Grammont ! tears arc the 
only tribute I can pay to thy merit j 
tears, due to youth, virtue, and bravery ! 
Common laurels wither and decay, but 
that which is watered by fuch a ftream 
fliall never fade; it towers above the 
ikies, and Sourifbes to immortality. 

** Do not, my Louifa, covet a life of 
feclufion from the world j we ought ever 
to be contented with the ftation allotted 
us by Providence. In retirement, wc 
poflefs at beft a kind of negative virtue: 
There our affeftions languilh for want 
of proper obje£l;& to excite them ; and 
our goodnefs confifts rathec in the ab- 
fence of evil, than in anjr pufifctkchatuts 
of rcilitude or exertions q( benevolence. 
It is in fodietj^ alone tKat the genuine 
charaifter can bo afcertained. There, 
our 



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fa rNTERESTlNG MEMOIRS. 
Our Tircue is tried j and if it ftands the 
ttR, from that trial refulti our higheft 
intelkftual enjoymcnt,-~the pleafing 
confctoufnefs of fuperior worth, and the 
lafting meed of felf-approbation, 

•* Philofophy, my dear LiouUa^ may 
enable us to talk of fortitude, but eli-> 
gion empowers us to exercife it. Think 
often> my affiided frtendj or that glo^ 
rious period, when freed finm- the milt 
ftf" error, the perplexity of doubt, and the 
-foph^ry of paffioa, we fliali contem- 
plate with sftoRiihment, and acquiefcr 
with rapture in the uaerring decrees of 
eternal Providence. 

" Adieu, dear and amiable friend. 
Tou have the prayers, die beft wifhev 
Aod moft lifting afieftioo, of your 

AoBLAiDB M St. Croix." 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 91 
We Ihall now leave the travellerB to 

purfue their journey, which they did by 
very flow ftages, and return to give feme 
account of what paHed at the Caftle of 
Haftings during their abfence. 

The frequent letters L^dy Gruirtlle 
jecelved from i^uifa, and which ihe ge- 
nerally communicated to Lord Grtai- 
' vilie, ferved ^rceably to amule their 
winter evcningSj and to increafe their 
cfteem and a6fe£tion for the amiable 
writer. The admirable defcriptions they 
contained, of the oiriofitiea of Paris and 
its envieoni, and the reBe&iom blended 
with them, Ihewed, that while Mift Sey- 
mour fuffered nothing worthy of cu- 
riofity to efcape hA- notkp, fhe made 
objects of fcntiment her chief itudy, and 
from them dwiwd her higheft enjoy- 
ment. ; 

The 



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9* INTEREaTiTNG MEMOIRS. 
■ The Marquis of Winchefter, who had 
a fine-feat in chat neighbourhood, came 
with his daughter Lady Charlotte Vil- 
Jiers, to rcflde -there during the autumn, 
about the time-Mrs. -Seymour and her 
daughter fet out for France, Lord and 
Lady Granville waited on the Marquis 
and Lady Charlotte, and requcfted the 
favour of their Company at the Caftle. 
'As' they did not propofe returning to 
toridoh' till after Chriftrnls, they fpent 
tnoft of their'time there. The Mar- 
quis's fortuiie was inadequate to his 
fjnk, which induced' him to fpend nitich 
of has'time iri the country-; as his ftrift 
nptiOrls of htiilDUr'fapbadehis plunging 
into otpcnce, -^hiCh he knew muft either 
ruin his family or injure fociety. 

* .LadyCfcartotte'paBeffed fo many'ad- 
vant^es from nature, that fhc fetmeii 
in no want of thofe of fortune. To a 
fine perfonj and a good underftandingi 



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INTSRBSTING MZMOIt^S. 9) 
lb£ added ruch-a.lhareofvivacity^ahd{J6-~ 
lifl^ed mannersi as rendered tier one of the 
mqit agreeable compaaLcuis in the -world.- 
Lord Granville beheld in X^ady Chat*-/ 
Igtte' ibe very /WQoiaai he wiffied for. a~ 
^aiighter^JA'-Uvj ; lUid entertaindd little' 
dpijbt of obtaining tbe approbation of 
the Marquis, to a.- marriagei whkh> .in 
refpeft of .foftupe, wag all he could de- 
Ore for his <iia«ghi^r;. Coiifcious> . how- 
eyer,. of ihe 'waywardnefsiof the" hu- ' 
man heart; he. deferred commuaioit-:, 
iog his plan to his fon, till, hcfliould' 
fcethe young people on fuch a footing. 
of;-ifl|:itTiacy,,;as.IhouId. give room tor 
lu^ft fc*r. their. icbncurrenbc.with 'iti ' ■[■■■. 

■■ In cenfequeoee of the, foUowii^ letter 
from his father. Lord Haftings returned; 
to the Caftle, about a month before the 
arpivrfof the travHlers.'- ' ' ' ' ' ' 

■ "Though 



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9+ tNTBRBSTING MEMOIRS. 

" Tiiough I wiihed ifly dear Henry to 
have made a longer ftay at Cambridge, 
an accident has h^pened which obligcft 
me to requeft his immediate return 
home. Dr. Melville, who has been 
lately threatened with a decline} faai> 
at my defire, agreed to give up his 
academy, and attend you on your tour. 
As he- fears rifting next winter in our 
northern climate, I propofe that you 
ihall fet out in a few months hence, and 
wiih to enjoy your fociecy during the 
fu(nmer4 Befides, I would wifh to in- 
troduce you to feme of the neighbour- 
ing families, many of whom are highly 
refpefhiblej and to infpire yoti with- 
that preference for your own countrf 
that will difpofe you to reniro to it with 
fi^cafurc." 

On his arrival. Lord HaiUi)g; fqu{id, 

the Marqui^ and his daughter at the Caftle. 

Wholly ignorant of bis father's views, 

and 

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INTERESTING UEMOIRS. $$• 
and free from that embarraflijigconrciouf- 
ncfs which the prefence of Mifs Seymoiir 
had occafioncd, he appeared with all the - 
advanc^es of a fine perfon, a cultivated 
trand, elegant hrianncrsj and a moft en- 
gaging addrcfs. 

Lady Cha^Vittt was perfedly quali- 
fied to judge of his merit. Notwith- 
ftanding or her ^arly introduftion into. 
the gay world,; her gpod fenfe had pre- 
fcrved her from klqpting, its follies s 
wht^i by inixing. With it. Die had ac- 
quired a degree of frankfiefs aodeaie 
peculiarly agreeable to a omper like 
that of Lord Haftings. H$r conftant' 
good humour and vivaclr^ ipade him 
find a thovf^d charms ija her ^fociety i 
ahd as flie excelled in mufit;, an jut in 
which he had unade confidcrable pro-, 
grefst and of wb^ch he was gre»tly ena?. 
2 , mour^^ 



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9£ INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
maured> their time pa0ed moft agree- 

Otifi morning* when I^rc) G^if^viHe, 

9ji<^ his fon were togc^pr .in. l^r^f^dy, 
concerting the plan of his fiiturp trjiy^ls, 
he addrefled him in the following man- 
ner '■ — " My dear Henry, I will not ^c- 
*• hy' you the pleafure of knowing, that 
" hitherto your conduct h^ betnfuch, 
*' as affords me the moft real fatisfaC7 
" tion. To complete It, one objeft only 
"remains, that of feeing you marry, 
•* and form fuch an' alliahtfe' as will do 
" credit both to your judgment andi 
" your heart. ■ I' know, by experience, 
** tWaf the whole happincfs of life de-' 
** pends oh this conneftioh. I do not 
*• confider' rhyfelf as authorifcd to con- 
" ftfain your chotct, but, as your friend, 
"would wilh ro direct iif. Lady Char- 
" lotte VilUers' appears to mc both- 
•* worthy and agreeable j her birth is 
" fuitable 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 97 

•* fuitable to your own ; and if I am 
"not miftaken, your merit has not 
^ been beheld .by her with indiffL-r- 

■LordHaftings expreffed the mofl: live- 
ly fcnfe of his father's goodnef?, and 
joined very, cordially in praife of Lady 
Charlotte, who, together with tlie Mar- 
guis, w^s that .very moment announced 
by a fervant. He flew to hand her 
from her carriage j but the converfa'- 
tion which had juft paffed, gave an 
awkward confcioufnefs to his .manner, 
which did not efcape the penetrating 
eyes of Lady Charlotte, who .felt her- 
felf too deeply interefted in. all his feel- 
ings, to pjermjt the flightcft of them to 
pafs unobferved. 

She rallied him with much Ipirit and 
good humour on the vifible change in 
his manner. And after a variety of 

Vol. I. F fprightly 

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^ tNTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
fprightljf failles, *< Come, cofric, faid 
*' flie> I will not, qucftion you any far- 
*' thcr on this fubjeft, for I fuppofc 
*' your father has been catechifing you 
** fufficiently already, as I faw you come 
"-out of his ftudy juft now." The 
face of Lord Haftings was crimfoned 
over by this Ipeech, which ferved at 
once to increafe his embarraffment and. 
Lady Charlotte's curiofity. She was 
too well bred, however, to.perfift in her 
raillery, which flie faw produce fuch' 
vifible emotion in Lord Haftings. But 
though feveral topics were ■ftarted, the 
converfation grew languid j and on re- 
turning home. Lady Charlotte bewilder- 
ed herfelf in vainly ftriving to unravel 
the myftery of his behaviour. As we 
are prone to believe what we wifh, and 
as Lord Haftings had been uncommon- 
ly afliduous about this Lady, flie hardly 
doubted of having made an impreflion 



I ,. Google 



.JNTXRESTrNO MEMOIRS. ^ 
X>a fl heart wboTe aCe&ions Ibe fincercly^ 
^iihed to engage. But though his vifiis 
were as frequent as ever, the cafe ©f his 
imanno- was exchanged for a cautioft 
■whidi was unaatsral at bis time of Ufe, 
and foreign to-his charaSer, and which 
threw a conftraint' into all their conver- 
fations, highly prejudicial to thofe fen- 
timents which Lady ChaHotte felt and 
wilhed to infpirc. 

Things were in this train when Mrs. 
Seymour and her daughter arrived at 
Springwood. 

Lady- Granville flew., to welcome her 
friend, but, alas! Ihe knew not in what 
terms to fpeak that welcome, when (he 
beheld in her pale face and emaciated 
figure, every fymptom of approaching 
diflblution, 

F a Tears 

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■ICO INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

Tears of mingled tendernefs and grief 
bedewed the bofom of. Louifa, as Lady 
Granville prefled her to her affe£tionate 
heart. She did not attempt to deceiw 
her with vain hopes, but to arm her with 
fortitude and rcfigoation. 

As Louifa never quitted her mother's 
apartment. Lord Haftings had no op- 
portunity of gratifying his curiofityj 
which was become painfully ardent, by 
the daily encomii^ms bellowed by his 
mother, both on the mind and perfoji 
of Mifs Seymour i the latter of which, 
flie faid, had acquired "inexpreffible 
graces, whilft at the fame time (he had 
loft nothing of that amiable ingenuity 
and fimplicity of manners which was 
ier greateft charm. 

The anxious mind ■ of Louifa was 
foothed, foon after her arrival, by the 
following letter from her friend : 

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. INTERESTING MEMOIRS. loi 

To Mi/s Seymour, 1^^ 

*' How manj' are the fources 'of ele- 
gant delight which memory opens to a 
mind fraught with ienfibility ! Who 
would forego the tcndernefs of melan- 
choly for the tumults of plcafure, or 
the meltings of fympathy" for the noifc 
of applaufe i ' 

•* Deprived of your dear ibciety, 
Ijouifa, I have recourfe to the part. I 
Wander through thofe folemn fcenes 
which witneBed the reciprocations of 
our mutual confidence and friendHiip. 
I ftrive to recolle£t not only your words, 
but your looks and placid fnniles. I 
liften to the Toothing language of hea~ 
venly hope and pious rcfignation j I ftitl 
hear you breathe the figh of fympathctic 
tendernefsi I ftill fee your mild eyes 
" F 3 bedimmcd 



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102 INTERESTING M.EItfOMC« 
bedimmed with the tear of fincere com- 
panion. Ah, Louifa! it is ftill due to 
the fecret forro*s of your feiend ! Nor 
is the prefent forgotten in the recollec- 
tion of the paft. I follow you in inia- 
gination through eVery ftage of yoiff 
painful journey. I ftrive to fuppott and 
aJTifl: you in the melancholy duties of 
foothing and comfortiag a dying pa-r 



" O ! may the Father of the affiifled 
himfclf vouchfafe to ftrengthen you foj; 
every duty, and fupport you under 
every trial ! 

*"' Let me entreat my Louifa to ftrive 
Rgainft melancholy j it will unfit you for 
the offices of focial life, The'caufe" of 
your preient depreflion is ati aoilabl^ 
one, and for this reafon-youough't to be 
on your guard with rcfpeft to its effefts. 
We arc apt to coqtemn ourfelves when 
any 



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1>*TERESTING MEMOIRS, mj 
any perTonal affli<5tion deprelTcs our fpl- 
rits ; bur when we languifli by a fympa- 
thetic pang, a ray of felf-approbation 
beams through the foul; we are flattered 
by our own fenfibility, and cheriHi the 
fadly pleafing fenfations, till they ac- , 
quire a dangerous flxength. 

** L^et us refted:, my love ! that the 
beneficent Parent of the univerfe can, in 
no fenie, be rhe aajthor of evil ; that the 
more wifdom which is difplayed in hia 
moral government, the hCs. can we 
poffibly cocn|H-el;ead ic; and what we, 
froax ignorance or bfindnefs> perhaps 
too from perverfeael^, denominate evil, 
maft certainly be good in his fight, who 
fhall caufe all the fcAiing difordera of 
the prefent fcene to iffue in the final . 
perfeftton and felicity of his intelligent 



F* 



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104 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

" As one earthly prop is withdrawtf, 
the heart of man fonJly clings to an- 
other, till infenfibly they drop one by 
one, and he is left defolate and folitary 
to encounter the ftorms of life. What 
were then the anguifli of his foul, could 
he reft on no firmer ftay than a mortal 
like hlmfelf, — could he look towards no 
more ftable inheritance than this land 
of fliadows, which even to his corporeal 
fight is faft paffing away ? Yes, my 
Louifa, though the dreams of happincis 
flow here in narrow channels,^, are in- 
terrupted by accident, and embittered 
by misfortune, to the pious it is naattcr 
of everlafting confblation,' that the great 
Fountain of exiftence and felicity is 
immutable, inexhauftible, and eternal. 
•Farewel!"' 

Mrs. Seymour's illnefs increafed fo 

quickly, that a few weeks brought her 

'^to the verge of the grave. One day, 

whilft 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. »s 
whilft Lady Granville was fitting by her 
bedfide, having defired Lomfa to take 
-a turn in -the garden for the benefit of 
the freih air, Ihe grafped her hand, and 
with a voice enfeebled by ficknefs and 
intemipted by forrow, thus' addrefled 
her:—" I atn pcrfuaded, .my beloved 
" friend, this fcene is by no. m^ans un- 
•* expefted to you ;. Kr mc^ be aflured, 
•* it is Welcome : One only tie bind? me 
•' w earth— that dear, ihat amiable 
•< child ! But I know, whilft Lady 
" Granville lives, Louifa will never 
" want a mother. The Almighty hath- 
" given me many gracious warnings of 
** that fate which k faft approaching;— 
** I truft I am prepared to meet.it. — ^ 
" You know I have had bur little fai- 
" tisfaftion in reviewing fome part of 
" my paft Hftj perfiaps I have fcanned 
"my errors with too fevere an eye, — 
" that of Qainifcienceis now »lpon-me! 
"I prcfumenot to. repo&ton'thc refti-- 
F 5 ' *' tudc 

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id6 IKTERESTIRC MEMOIRE 
■*' tade of iny intentions or regulari- 
" ty of my conduit ; my hc^ is that 
•* of a Chriftiani and it will never dc- 



Lsdy Gr^t^ill« latj irrcry tftiflg tliat 
piety> frieitddiip, atul good fcnfe could 
-AiOxttf 00 calm the anxieties of Mfs. 
Seymour }'lbe even ventuicd is alCinx 
-her, that -wiiile the lived ihe Vould never 
iuFer Loei&i to have atoy etther home 
thaa herUxoiie. ! 

Mn. Seymmw only IWviwd a week 
~ i^ter.'thiis oonverfation^ dufin^ -^hj«h Ifae 
ilrove: to reconcile JLetuiili to a fepam- 
tioR>:which would confd&dily be&r Jkv 
haf^tnefs; ■ 

" I>o jjot, -my <2eaKft child,, ftid flw, 

•' O do not euibitter my bft. inonKins 

■*by indul;png exceffiVc fofrow kt'-xtif 

** death) C^fider h ia the tight of % 

" ihort 

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JNT3RE3TING MEMO|Rfl. lo? 
*' fliort abfcncei— -look on mc a% having 
" gone a little jbefore. ifl a journey ip 
** which yoo ^re foon to follow' me. 
" Pcrhftps ou* fepiratJop wii) neithijr, be 
" fo wal BOP enrife, as that occafieaerf 
** by abfence while 09 earth : perhaps 
** I may ftill be p^qfiitted tq watQb.Syf 
"my child; at leaft I will not long 
.« Ije disjoioedfrOto her." ■: 

Thq-cw^ fomething mifp^akably 
jbothing in the idea fijggeftcd by the 
laft part of this difcoijrfe : Louifa dwdt 
©B it with peculiar delight j but, in the 
midft of the extreme dejetftion QCc*Con'. 
ed by the folemnity of adeathbedj-her 
drooping heart required a firmer fupport 
than a pleating dream of a doubt/ul hope. 
Her mother perceived this^ j^ied'in dir - 
rcAing her to the light -of rewlaiici? 
and the pro^efl: of itipmortality, gave 
patience to her fufferings, and jningled 
confolatiqa with her forrows. 

F is "I leave 



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ro8 INTERESTING MEMOIRS- 

" I leave you, my beloved child," 
faid Ihe, a few hours before her death i 
** but I leave you undtr the proieftion 
^*' of that God. wha fees it good for us 
" to pari J who is in a peculiar majl- 
" ncr the Father of th« fatherlefs^. and 
** fiiield of the orphan, 

" Earthly friends fail us at our grear- 
" eft need j but this heavenly friend will 
'* never forfake us. Earthly friends can- 
*• onty pity our misfortunes j biit God 
" is able to avert them. Fear God, 
*^ thenj my deareft child, and you need 
'^ have Bo other dot." 

Though- the fTrft tranfports of grief 
on the death of her mother prevented 
Louifa from deriving all that confota^ 
tioii from thcfc difcourfes which they 
were calculated to infpire, they returned 
to her thoughts rn the cdmer hours, 
when paffion began to fubfid'e, and 
carried 



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INTERESTiyC MEMOIRS. 109 
carried the fweetcft coniblati<»> to her 
heart, 

Lady Granville was very defiroos 
that Mifs Seymour fliould return whh 
her to the Cadle the evening her mo- 
ther expired; but Ihe would h^ no 
means confent to leave Springwood, till 
ihe had fulfilled the laft duties to her 
refpeiled parent. That humane friend 
did not urge her, bur, rcvcrirtg her 
pious forrows, left her a while in- quiet 
to indulge them j and fending for her ■ 
©wn maid, a prudent fenfible woman, to 
attend her, returned' to the Caftle to 
give orders for the funeral^ which Louifa 
intreated might be as private as pofUble. 
Accordingly, in three days afterwardsj 
the corpfe was interred early in the 
morning, in a burial-place erefted by 
his lady on the death of Colonel Sey- 
mour. 

Kothing 

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tio INTERESTING MBMOIRa. 
.■ Noriiing could be more foothing to- 
the afflifted Louiia, than the frequent 
letters (he received from Adelaide dur- 
ing her diftrefs.. When the dark clmids- 
•of adverli'ty furround us, they exclude 
every ray of pleafure, but that which 
.reaches and cheers the iovil frcHD tendl^ 
jmd fincere fympathy. 

The following was brought her the 
evening of that day which deprived hep 
of tlie belt oi mothers. 

iTe Mifs Seymour. 

• " The ftillnefs and quiet of my pre- 
fent fituation grows every day more 
agreeable. Methinks, Louifa, at the 
age of twenty-two, I feel as ftrong a 
conviftion, that all is v4nitv, a^ So- 
lomon did after a long" life, in which 
all the wilhes of his heart and powers of 
his 

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hii ima^inat'toh were exhauHed, in pur- 
fuit of a felicity, which, alas! thcfe fiiai- 
dovfk of real good could never yield. 

"Affliftion, -I truft, has taught mfc 
true -wifdom. It has brought upon me 
a fort of premature old age, which fervCs 
Inftead ■of expcrfence. Though neither 
■fatiated with thepleafurea ofthe world, 
'nor difgufted by its difappoiiitments,'! 
■ftiaH rife fatSsfieS fpoiri life'3 (e^i ztui 
leave the banquet to thofc for whom. Jt 
has the charm of novelty, and whofe 
'ignorance of it« dangers makes theni'be- 
ihold it with delire. 

"With what calm, indi^rencc, 
-Lotiifa I do 1 mark the filenc lapfe of 

txmc^ and bdtold it& leveral periods 
'Oonx to a clofc i Why fliouid wc in- 
-dulge immoderate rorrow f«r. the I0& 

of thole who are gone Before us, v/hsk 
..every >day, every houri every moment. 



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Its INTERBSTING MEMOIRS. 

■is accelcratir^ the blifsful period of OW 

re-union ? 

*' Books are now my chief amufe- 
ment : Some of thefe reprefent life as 
bright and cheerful ; others teach me to 
defpife its ftorms, or inform me that 
they are falutary } whilCt experience 
adds, that they are tcanfieni too. Mc* 
thirjks thisconfidcration oi^ht to filence 
both our peevilh difcontents and. fantaf- 
tic wifljcs. 

" Sometimes \ direft my folitary 
walks to the filent manfions of the dead.; 
and, forgetful of the world, and all its. 
vexing inqiaietudcs, fcem to (Bare for 
awhile their blifsful repofe. ButI ad"- 
vance a ftep farther, my Louifa, and 
-find,, even among the dominions of 
death, proofs of the foul's immorta- 
lity. 

« Here 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, tij 
" Here is evinced, the imazing truth, 
that it is the fame matter, varioufly 
modified, which conftitutcs both the 
earth and its inhabitants. Animals de- 
rive their fubfiftence from plants, which 
are nouriflied by the common mould j 
at the appointed feafon all thefe return 
to this their firlt principle. But fince-, 
in the vifible creation, there exifts no^ 
thing analogous to mind, let us not ima- 
gine that the foul can ever be reduced 
to a ftate like that «f beings which are 
altogether different from it.— 1 hemes 
like thefej my Louifa, cannot fail to be' 
in harmony with your pre(ent feelings, 
fince your laft letter affures me that . 
your dear deferving parent is pall all 
hope of recovery. Let reflections like 
thefe fupport your foul in view of that 
affli^ing event which either awaits you, 
or is already arrived. Oh, my Louifa! 
how much need have I to dwell on them 
myfclf ! This day completes my twenty-. . 
■ iecond 

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m INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 

fecond year, the irrofl: eventful of jny 
life. How little did I dream, at its 
commencement,, that the fabric my fond 
Itopes bad reared was fo Toon to tumble 
into ruins I That he, for whofe lake 
alone I welcomed its arrival, and wifhed 
its continuance, Ibould, ere its clofe; be 
torn from my bofom, and hidden for 
ever from my eyes I But though thefc 
bodily organs no more behold thee, be^ 
and deareft of men i thou art ever prc- 
fent to my mind's eye, in thy exalte^ 
virtues, thy fpotlefs manners, and thy 
fair fame : Thefe Oiall juftify the tears; 
with which I embalm, thy memory, and. 
convert my forrows into virtue, 

" Write conftantly to me»my amiable 
afflifted friend ! You know hdw tenderiy 
I partake in your forrows. Believe me,. 
lx>uifa, to foften one pang of yours; 
«Ten at the expcnce of Ibairing it, will 
be 



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mTER-ESTlNG MEMOIRS, n; 
be prcferabie,: in my dEimation, to all 
tliat the woiild calls ple^ifaTe. 

r ' fe -Jdehide M St, Croix. 

" Your letter has reached me, my 
friend, and conveyed to ray foid the 
only confolation of which at prefent it 
is capable. Yefterday, all my cares for 
the befl; of women ended }—ftie is happy: 
—Shall 1 not then be refigned ? — I truft 
I am fo. ■ Yet, Oh, my Adelaide ! it is 
difficult, it is impoflible, to reftrain the 
tears of nature,, wheo the long, endeared 
fecred tie of kindred and of friendfhip 
is rudely broken by death ! Till that 
cruel moment, when the grave ciofes 
over tbofe we love, we cannot fuflicient- 
ly admire the excellence of that re- 
■ ligion which teaches us to look beyond, 
it. Ah, my friend, do they ad agree- 
^ly to their own principles, who con- 
tend 



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116 INTERESTING MEIiiOIRS; 
tend for the dignity of human.nature,' 
and jei bclLevc that the foul of man- 
advancing daily in virtue and know- 
ledge— afpiring after perfeftion— long- 
ing for immortality — cut" o^ in the 
midft of its purfuits and wilhes, -fhall 
lhare the fame fate with the meaneft 
reptile thac crawls on the face of the 
earth i 



" Alas ! how difmal, how hopelefs, 
mufl: be the forraw of fuch gloomy, fuclj 
benighted minds!; 

" Books, you fay, fupply your fa- 
vourite amufement. Our opinion, both 
of books and charafters, is inBuenced 
by the tone of our mind at the time we 
become acquainted with them; Perhaps 
it is owing to this circumftance that I 
have perufed the following fable with 
peculiar fatisfaiftion this morning ; and 



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INTBRESTINO MEMOIR3 117 
sn the -hope of its producing the Tame 
ffFeft on you, I fiiall here tranfcribe it. 

*.' In ancient times, fays the fabulift, 
■when the Creator of the world placed 
our firft parents in Paradife, to prevent 
them from growing weary of each other, 
he appointed Happinefs, the faireft of 
his offspring, to refide with them. 

*' For fome time her charms were 
beheld with admiration, and her merit 
treated with refpeift. But beauty, by 
growing familiar, ccafcd to excite plea- 
fure; and merit, from want of no. :l[y, 
foon incurred negkft. The favounte, 
even of celeftial beings, Happinefs, could 
ill brook fo unkind a reception tiom 
mortals; and one day, on occdiion of a 
quarrel between her afr!)riatt-s, in which 
.they both betrayetl marks of altered dif- 
pofitlons, flie was fo (lifgufl'd, that (he 
liaftilybade them adieu > and afcending 



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Ill INrERESTlNC MEMOJRS. 
to her former abode, entftated the great 
Raler of the Univerfe ^hat flie might 
never more be fent to dwell with thofe 
who knew fo ill to value her fociety. 

*' The moment (he was gone, her com- 
panions became fenfible of their error. 
. They deplored her abfence, and con- 
jured her to return, in terms of the moft 
earneft fupplication. But Happinefs was 
inexorable ; and the utmoft they could 
obtain from her, was a promifc, that 
provided they were never again heard 
10 quarrel, Ihe would depute her younger 
filler Contentment to refide with them, 
and even occafionally vifit them herfelf. 

*' How far our primogenitors com- 
plied with thefe terms, we are ftill Ig- 
norant; bur it would appear that Hap- 
pinefs, like other injured females, not 
only continued to refent former ill- 
"ufage, 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, ir^ 
wfage, but even cnEcrtained conftant 
fofpicions of future mal-treatmcm. For 
it is univerfally known, that -whenever 
ihe deigns to vifit thefe lower regions, 
flic never ftays longer than, jufl: like 
thofe mortals who pretend to emulate 
her perfections, to receive the homage of 
her admirers, to make a difplay of her 
charms, and by beftowing Ibme flighe 
favours 6n each, to heighten the dciirea 
and fecurc the admiration of all her vo- 



Immediatcly aftei' the funeral, Lady 
Granville prepared to go to Spring- 
wood, in order^to bring her young 
charge to the Caftle. But the agitating 
fcencs (he had lately witnefled, and the 
lofs of a friend (he dearly loved, had (a 
fenfibly affefted her health, that, jufl: 
as ftie" was ftcpping into the coach, 
ihe was feized with, fuch a faintiicis, 
that 

3 

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110 INTE.REST1NG MEMOIRS. 
that it was with difficulty Lord Haftings 
could get her fupported back. to her 
apartment. Unwilling to add affliction 
to the opprefled heart of Loulfaj and 
flattering herfclf this indifpofition would 
quickly go off", flie fent a note to ac- 
quaint her, that Ihe was prevented from 
coming for her at that hour, as ihe in- 
tended, but would certainly call for her 
in the evening,' when flie expefted to 
find every thing in readinefs to be moved 
to her apartment at the Caftle, where 
flie fliould ftill find a tender indulgent 
mother, ready with open arms to receive 
her. 

- The laft fentence diflblved the whole 
foul of Louifa in gratitude and tendcr- 
nefs, and gave birth to a thouland ideas, 
which, though confufed and indiftind, 
left no traces but fuch as were pleafing, 
Slie haftencd to prepare for her removal j 
and cxpcSing Lady Granville cvtry mi- 
nute, 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, tat 
note, took out her mother's pifture, ' 
bached U wkh her tcars^ and im« 
plored the Almighty to enable her 
to tread in the fteps of his departed 
ferrani! 

It was now the beginning of May ; 
the air was perfe&ly mild, and the 
beautiful woods and meadows were p\d~ 
ed with the laft trembling rays of the; 
fun. It difappeared ; and was fuccefd- 
ed by that fcrenc glowing iky which 
marks the evenings of that enchanting 
feafon with 'peculiar beauty. 

Louifa, from the>ixrindow of her mo* 
ther's apartmentj had long contemplated 
this fcene ; if it did not baniHi her for- 
rows> at lealt it becalmed and Toothed 
them. She had mariced the brightly 
ietting fun^ and traced in her mind St 
pleafing refemblance between the pro- 
grefs of that heavenly orb and that of x. 

Vol, I, G ' good 

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tzi INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
good life. The departure of.that bright 
luminary infpircd feelings pcrfeftly con- 
genial with thofe imprefled on her mind 
by the itenes (He had lately witneffed. 
" After cheering this world with his 
" beanis, faid fhe, and difFufing health 
" and beauty around him, this glorious 
*' image of his Maker retires, perhaps, 
" to renew his ftrcngth, and blefs other 
** regions." But the comparifon would 
fxtcnd no farther. A few hours would 
reftore to the eyes of men the cheering 
light of the world ; but, with a pang ' 
almoft infupportablc, fhe recollefted, 
that her eyes muft no more behold the 
parent Ihe fo fondly loved. 

ReJblved, before quitting Springwood, 
to vifit her lowly dwelling, Ihe palled, 
unnoticed, through the garden, and 
opening a door which led into the park, 
■walked flowly towards the burial-place. 
The filcnce which prevailed around, 
the 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 11} 
the deepening (hades of evening, and 
the fuddcn appearance of the moon from 
behind a cloud, which gave an uncouth 
appearance to almoft every objeft, af- 
fected her weak fpirlts fo much, that 
flie ftopt, and for fome moments hefi-- 
tated about going forward ; but, reco!— 
lefting how feldom Ihe might find fo 
favourable an opportunity of indulging^ 
her folemn meditations, Jhc entered the" 
little inclofure, and, kneeling at the fide 
of the grave, ftrove to raife her thoughts 
from the gloomy objedt before her, and 
to fix them on fhofe which ihe felt con-' 
vey peace and even joy to her foul. 

She continued fome moments in this 
attitude, when, ftartlng at the ruftling of 
a bufh behind her, ihe hailily arofe, 
and, turning towards the door, exclaim- 
ed, — " All gracious Heaven ! Lord 
** Haftings !" 

G 2 Terrified 

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%24 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

Terrified beyond expreffion with his 
(uddeo and unexpeded ^pearance, ihe 
^U lifelefs on the grave of her mother. 
Reduced almoft to the l^me condition, 
idiC aftonifhed Halting^ kneeling hy her 
fidSi endeavoured to raife her up, and 
reea) her to life. Several minutes 
tiipBid before his cares bad the defired 
eSe^l* He attempted in vain to offer 
feme cxcufe &)t this intruiion ; his 
vords were fo incoherent, and lUtiSKn 
appeared fo incapable of attending to 
them, that he forbore talking. His 
looks, however, fufHcicntly cxprelTed 
the perturbation of bis mind, whilfl: he 
ftrove to prevail on her to accept of his 
arm } by the help of which, with a ftag- 
geriog pace, ihe walked flowly towards 
the houfe. 

Whilft the maid was. employed in I 
putting Louifa's little wardrobe into the | 
cfiach, fhe recolle&ed.heiiclf fo far as to 
enquire 

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INTERESTING MSMOIRS. it$ 
enquirt after Lady Granville. Lord 
Haftings replied, that being i little.in- 
dilpofed, fhe had defired him to wait on 
her, and attend her to the Caftle. ** 1 
- " greatly fear Mifs Seymour, added he, 
" that my vifit at this time has proved 
** an tinwelcoirieone." Louifa attempt- 
ed a reply, but the words died on her 
lips. 

Thej entered the coach j and a filence 
eafiwd^ which would have been pain- 
fully embtfraQjng, had not the prefcnce 
of the maid feemcd to authorife it. " ■ 
When they alighted, Lord Haf^inga 
again prefled Louifa to accept of his 
arm, that he might conduA her to hii 
mother's apartment ; but fhe declined 
iti faying, with a tone of the f^eeteft 
acknowledgment, that ihe thanked his 
Lordfhip, but was now, flic belleVed, 
tblc to w^k by hcrfclf. 

G3 Afraid 

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I2« INTERBSTING MCMOIRS. 

Afraid to witnefs a meeting fo tender, 
he retired to his apartment, and took 
up his pen to indulge the feelings of his 
heart, liy pouring it out to his friend. 

To Mr. Beaufort, Cambridge. 

" Beaufort ! I am moft unhappy.^ 
Your fufpicions are juftified:— I love; 
—but fpare your friend, and let the ac- 
knowledgment of my weaknefs obtain 
for me your pity, as well as indulgence. 
Believe me, the knowledge of this fecret 

is new to myfelf. My thoughts are 

kU confuiion, elfc would I defcribe to 
you the fcene of this evening; till death 
Jhall expunge cveiy trace from my me- 
mory, even that which it fiiall lofe the 
lateft — the Image of Louifa, I will ne- 
ver, never forget it. 

" At eight this morning, I witneffcd 

the interment of poor Mrs. Seymour ; 

but. 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. \tf 
but, though my defire to fee her charm- 
ing daughter was inexpreflibly great, I 
could not intrude on her at a moment fo 
folemn. In the evening, my mother 
being indifpofed, fhe defired mc to go 
and attend Mifs Seymour to the Caftle, 

" On arriving at Springwood, and 
enquiring for her young lady, the maid 
told me, that Ihe believed Ihe was walk,-> 
ing in the garden. I followed ; but not' 
feeing her in any of the walks, I purfued 
that which leads to the park ; in a re- 
tired part of which Hands the family 
burial-place, furrounded with high trees 
and awall, which concealedher from fighc. 

" The evening was delightfully ftill j 
J ftopc and liftened to the found of a 
.diftant cafcade, which alone interrupted 
the awful filence. Having looked in 
vain for Mifs Seymour, I was juft about 
to return, when I obferved the door of 
the burial-place open. My heart throb- 
G 4 - be4 

D.5.-.:8dj,GOOgle 



Its INTERESTING MEKTOIRS. 
bed with ftrange emotions : I approach- 
ed without noife, and beheld — O Beau- 
fort ! an objedt that almoft deprived mt 
of my fenfes. It was Louifa herfelf, 
clothed in her mourning habit,, and 
kneeling at the foot of her mother's 
grave. At her fide lay the pifturc of 
her revered parent : Her hands were 
folded over her bofom, in an attitude of 
devotion, and her mild eyes, ftreaming 
with tears, were fixed on Heaven.—— 
Beauforc I tlHnk. what I felt at that mo- 
ment 1 The lovely Saint was Aartled 
by the fuddennels of my appearance* 
and occafioned me dreadful alarms, by 
fainting at a diftance from all help. She 
is now, thank Heaven, in healtb and 
lafety, in the next apartment with niy 
mother, to whofe care Ihe was entruftecl 
by her own, on her death-bed. 

" Oh, Beaufort ! what wiH become of 
your friend f I recal to mind my 

father's 



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_ INTSRKSTING MBMOIR9. itf 

fither'i cDnvetfiwion,— his vici*s,-— mj 
attcmioos to Lady Charlotce,— perhaps 
her paraalityl— Oh ! can I offendl 
againft honour, duty« gratitude ! Yet 
what da I fipfi I have never deceived 
Lj»dy Charlotte ; ihy father only wifceS 
to direct, not conftr:tin my choice. But 
1 bewilder n9ffci£ in a Variety of reflec> 
tbit&y and date not troll to the decifiom 
df my own mind in its prefem diftra£)Kd 
Hate.— Write to me^ Beaufort, withoot 
ft moment'a delay. Calm the ^goniift 
6f my mind,— alTbre me I h&vi ntit aA- 
eij difhonour^ly,— and Oh ! faty, if foil 
catii tUict 1 mky yet h^e fat %jiui(^ 
lev^ I— Wkheuc that ho^e 1 am rtakii- 
4ble 1 Fare«<tl; 



On cKCpiirrti^ ifirt; his iflotte**,' Lftril 

Haftihgs was informed that fhc was (till 

gre^ indirpofed, and w^ed to Ice 

G 5 him. 



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t30 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
htm. HU agitation was not leflened, 
when on entering the room, he beheld 
X^ouifa fitting b^ her bedfide, and hold- 
ing a hand of Lad/ Granville in hers, 
JKhich file bathed with her tears. L/)rd 
Haftings approached the bcd> and en- 
quiring anxioufly about her complaints> 
took hold of the other hand, which he 
was furprifcd to. feel very hot and fcver- 
ifli. " Henry> faid flie, this dear child, 
.'*-ha3 been too much accuftomed of late 
.•'to fcenes of diftrefe. Try to amufe 
.** her. Go, my dear, continued Die, 
•' Haftings will attend you to the draw- 
'* ing-room, and fbew yot^ fome beautt- 
." ful prints I have juft purchafcd. 
" Thofc of your favourite Salvator I 
^' intend for your apartment : Chufc 
" out the landfcapes you admire moftj 
** and flatter me, by difcovering that 
•* your taftc agrees wkh my own." 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 131 
■ Louifa arofe, and walked with Lord 
■Haftings into the drawing-room ; but 
thought not of the prints. She read his 
apprehenfiiMis in his dejcAed counte- 
nance; and inftantly catching the alarm, 
entreated him to tell her what he thoyghi 
of Lady Granville's fituation i 

Perhaps, Mifs Seymour, laid he, mf 
fears magnify her danger j but at pre- 
sent, ihe certainly has every fymptom 
of a fever. Louifa's affliiftion was inex- 
preflible j and Ihe could not help Hgh- 
ing in a low voice, — " How unhappy 
"am I!— will Heaven deprive me of 

'• every friend ?" -" No, Mifs Sey- 

*' mour," replied Lt-rd Haftings, with 
■much emotion, " you will never want 
*' friends :— Virtues like yours fecure 
** the friendfliip of Heaven itfelf." 

This affecting converfation was in- 

teiTupted by the arrival <^ Lord Gran7 

6 vUle, 



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■)t IMTBRBSTING MBMOIK3. 
ville, who had fpent the daf at the 

houfe of a neighbouring gectkman.^ 
He was extremely ibocked, at his retumi 
to hear, of his l^y's lUnefs : Gave oi> 
ders that Dr. Lewis fhould inftantly be 
ienc for; and never quitted her room 
till he came. The Doftor pronoaaccd 
Xady Grsnrille's difbrder to be a fever, 
probably occasioned by the Jate agita- 
tion of her fpirits j but^ the caufe beii^ 
now removed^ he hoped the oomphunt 
would, neither be Ibinaidable nw hSk* . 

Loi)i& implored her pcmuffiott M 
watch t^ her during the night { but thjt 
Lady Granville abfoluteiy refufed. She 
retired to her apanmcoi, but not w 
bed. 

Juft as the clock ftruck one, flic ren- 

tbred to flip foftly down, and liften at 

she door of Lady Graavillt's apwtmcM. 

fl Having 



I ...Google 



mTBRE3TJN& MEMOIR^ 13I 
Having to pafa that of Lord Haftings; 
which he had left open whh the fame 
intention, he faw her go down (lairs; 
and fuppofing his mother grown worfe", 
followed her in the greateft agitation. 
All being quiec, Louifa wa» returning 
foftly, when fhe met Lord Haftings in 
the paflage. At fight of him ffie ftart- 
ed with ftirprile. The eagernefs of hit 
enquiries after his nvMhcp, the fears hft 
ai|refii»l for her own health, tn a tone 
, «f pccK^ai tcnderncfs, and the earneft 
manner in which Ik orged her to go 
immediately to reft> affe£led the weak 
Jpirits of Louifa in fuch a d^ree; 
that fhe could not reftrain her tears. 
She puUed out her handkerchief to con* 
eeal them, and liafiily retired. By ah 
involuntary movement, he followed her 
feme fteps ; as he Was ftowly returning 
towards his apartment, he faW a' flip of 
t>aper lying iit the paff^e^ which he 
picked Up without knowing what he 
did. 



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134 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
did, and laid on his drefli-g-tab!e. He 
fat down, and, revolving in his mind, 
the various fcenes of the paft day, 
found his admiration of Louil'a increafe, 
with every new light in which her exalt- 
ed charadcr was placed. 

He was about to undrefs, when the 
paper caught his eye; he unfolded it, 
and perceived that it was written in a 
female hand j and inftantly knew from 
the contents, that it muft be that of Mifs 
Seymour. In reality flie had dropt it, 
by pulling her handkerchief quickly out 
of her packet. 

It was dated Midnight; contained the 

laft words of her affectionate mother.; 

and concluded with this folen:in addrefs : 

' ** Almighty God ! fljield of the orphan, 

•' be thou my guide and protector 

" through the dangerous paths of life; 

- " And Having removed from me the 

"beft 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 135 
" beft of parents, fpare in mercy the 
" kindelt of friends !" 

The piety of Louifa,* and tendernefs 
of her attachment to his mother, melted 
the foul of Lord Haftings in love and 
gratitude; nor did the late proofs of his 
filial piety and folicitude for her fafety 
lefs fenfibly affed hers. Unable wholly 
to reftrain his emotions, he inclofed the 
p^per in a billet, which contained thete 
words : — " This paper, which I found 4 
V few hours ago, can belong only to 
** Mifs Seytnour. Pardon a curiolity 
** which I found it impofliblc to re- 
*' (train: -I knew not the hand when I 
** prefumcd to read it, but could be at 
•* no, lofs with regard to the writer. — 
" O Mifs Seymour! may your prayer 
•' be accepted ! May you, indeed, be 
" the ere of Heaven j and may peace 
f* for ever inhabit that gentle bofona, 
" where fuch lingular piety rtfides !" , 

. ■;> This 



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I|S INTERBSTIKO MBMOrKS. 

This letter He prefcnted to her un- 
obferved, as ihc retired from the bre^- 
fafting parlour. The air of fecrefy 
trith which it *4ras delivered, alarmed 
fcer confcious heart with a variety of 
confuted emotions, and it throbbed with 
fuch violence, that it was fome minutes 
•fter ihe reached her apartment before 
flie found courage co open and read it. 
When Oie did (o, her eye impacientljr 
fought for fbmewhac there, which it 
Could ndt difcover j and fllie fighed at 
the clofe of ic> without knotting Hit 
cauic of ber difappointnneBt. 

l.jady Granvrlle'* fever wm TOfcn(, 
ted her recovery long doubtft4. Dur- 
ing that tedious languor which uftially 
liiscecds fevere illnefs, her fon mdLouifa 
ftarrely ever left her apartmcMt, fot 
them it had a th<iufand fweet and feet-ef 
Mtraftionsi— united in the fame tender 
caresj their he^isfym|)a«hi£cdki ^ kni6 
delightful 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. tj^ 
delightful emotions. The bitternefs of 
grief had yielded to the foftnefs of me- 
lancholy, in the gentle bofom of I/)utfa, 
and Ihe experienced a calm fo delicious> 
that Ihe would not have exchanged it for 
the tumult of plcafure. 

This ferenity, however, was not of 
long duration : The following letter 
froim Adelaidcj in anfwer tothat one 
which acquainted her with Mrs. Sey- 
mour's death, revived in the aBTec- 
tionate heart of Louifa thofe anxious 
ff^icitudes to which it had k>ng beeh 
fubjeaed. 



'• Hioti^ the heart of mf deAwft 

gentle friend fiiared tenderly in all mf 

fwrdws, yet, , per&fHy to fympathife 

,widi the afflided, we muft ourfelvea 

Mr* 

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I3t INTERESTING MEMOIRS; 
Tiavc experienced affliftion. Now my 
Louifa will know what it is to Shed the 
tear of hopelefs unutterable grief over 
the grave of her beft friend. Thank , 
God! many yet remain to you; may 
■Heaven Incteafe their number ! But let 
not the merits of any, however dcferving, 
■blot from your memory the image of 
your fond and faithful Adelaide, 

*' I know your forrow, my deareft 
Louifaj muft be extreme j but allow me 
at lead: to endeavour to confole you. 
Suffer me to remind you, that the tra- 
veller who has a long journey to accom- 
plilfa, muft not allow himfelf to be too 
much engroffed by ,any objeft, however 
plcafing, that he may meet with on bis 
way. Friends, fortune, health, arc bleff- 
mgs tvhich a bountiful Providente fup- 
plics, to beguile the length of this weary 
pilgrimage, not to betray^ us intoafor- 
getfulndit 



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iNTERESTING MEMOIRS. 139 
getfulnefs of that better country to which 
we are haftcning. 

" We are ever felfiih in our forrows : 
Were it not Co, would we repine when 
the truly good are taken from a world 
unhealthful to their virtues ? efpecially 
when in advanced life, and approaching 
to a fecond childhood. 

■ *' If it requires our utmofl: fortitude 
to behold this beauteous fabric diflblv- 
ing into duft, ought we not to rejoice, 
when we are fpared the humbling fpec- 
tacle of the foul alfo, as it were, in 
ruins ? 

" 'Tis true, amidft the decays of her 
uncomfortable manfion, we know that 
the heavenly itriiabitant remains unhurt; 
but as her powers all lie dormant, when 
proper agents arc wanting to execute her 
Willi 



I ,. Googic 



140 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
will, Ihe appears to us to partake In th« 
ruin of her earthly habitation. 

, ** My health is very infirm, but my 
Ipirits calm and my foul rcfrgned. From 
this quiet harbbur, Louifa, I look back 
with pity on thofc who ftlU toil on xht 
ocean: of life, and felicitate myfelf, that 
my little bark will be fo foon afhore. la 
the foothing recollcAion of paft happi- 
neis, and the hope that it will ere long 
be rcfinred, I acquire a peat^e which rC' 
Tembles the repofe of the blefled,— Yes, 
my Louifa I the prayer of the amiable 
and compaflionate Rochelle is graoted. 
—Yes, '* though I can never CHpeft 
** happinefs, I have at leaft attuned re- 
** fignation." 



To thtfaau, 

" I have always confidered it as a 

greater proof of heroifm, to fubmit t6 

lira 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 141 
live for a friend than to'die for one. — A 
few hours after difpaiching my laft let- 
ter, I wa^ relieved from an illnefs thac 
threatened my life -, and the firft fenti« 
ment of which I was confcious aftM my 
recovery, was gratitude, not on my own 
account, but yours. Yes, mjr gentle 
friend, 1 know tha? at prefent my death 
would have greatly added to your af- 
fli&ion, and therefore I am thankful 
chat life iq lent me a little longer. 

" The quiet of a cloifter, my Lowfa, 
where th^re are few objefts, to engage 
attention, forces the mlod' to feeic em- 
ployment ai home. In the words of your 
admired Engliih Foct, I ftrive to find 

Frienda in the trees, books in the running brooks, 
SermoDi in ftonea, and good in every thing. 

" There, it, fomeihiflg peculiarly dc- 

lightful to the mind in tracing fuch 

9flaio^es beoffceD the natural and moral 

world> 

D5 .ij,.GoogIc ■ 



I4> INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
world, as tend to throw light on many 
important fubjeits, and to confirm our 
faith in the fublimedoftrinesof our holy 
religion. 

•' The origin and progreflTive ftages of 
the butterfly's exiftence arc beautifully 
illuftrative of the nature, changes, and 
future deftination of man. The butter- 
fly is produced from a catterpillar, which 
devours garden plants, and which, hav- 
ing moved for a feafon in its lowly nar- 
row fphere, falls into a ftate of torpid 
infenfibiiity. Thus it continues during 
the gloom of winter; but when the 
gladfome beam of fpring appears, it 
is re-animated, — burfts its confinement, 
foars aloft, acquires new beauty, power, 
and vigour. Its fcene of action, its re- 
liflies, its cxercifes are changed ; the 
fubftance is retained, but the modifica- 
tion is totally altered : — It is at once an- 
other and the fame.—— Have recourfe 
then, 

D.g.-«i ...Googk 



INTERESTING MtMOIRS. 14J 
then, ye infidels, to the dcmonftrations 
of annual experience, and then fay, — 
Why ftiouid it be thought incredible 
that God ihould raife the dead ? 

*' Themes like thefe, my Louifa, can- 
not be fuppofed frequently to employ 
your thoughts, in the midft of company 
andamufemcnts. Letme, from the qiiiet 
of a cloifter, fometimes obtrude them 
upon you. Though my Louifa cannot 
cxpeft amufement from the walls of A 
convent, yet that fituation, as it infpires 
the moft folemn reflections, wi)I plead 
my excufe, if mine (hould at any time 
feem officious and impertinent. 

" Deprived of your beloved fociety, 
I naturally feek for that of the gentle 
Conflance. Though her converfation 
cannot confole me for the iofs of yours, 
her amiable difpofitiofts bring you con- 
tinually to my remembrance. In her, 
good 

D.5.-.:8dj,GOOgle 



«44 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
good fenfe and fweetnefs of temper da 
more than compcnfate for the ablcnce 
of thofc fhtntng talents>— which dazzle, 
but do not warm,— which awaken covy, 
but rarely conciliate affedion. 

*' Adieu, my deareft friend 1 May tJie 
cup of profperity long be yours, unim- 
bitCered by any mixture of peculiar af-* 
fiidtion {—may tbofe that are necelfary 
prove healthful j— ^d may its flavour 
be heightened^ and its relifli endeved, 
by the cordial ftiendlhip of your 

Adelajdi." 



Before Lady Granville was able to 
take an airing in the coachj Jbe was 
•dvifed by Dr. Lewis to be carried into, 
the garden for the benefit of frefti airj 
where there was an elegant liidc pavil- 
liofl, fitted up in the moft exquifite 
lafte, 

. D5 .ij,.GoogIc 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS, i^j 
tafte, and which commanded one of th« 
fincft profpeds in the, world. There, 
whilft Louifa fac at Work with Lady 
Granville, or ^mjifed hcrfclf with train- 
ing the honey^ckle and je.lTamine round 
the windows. Lord Haftings ufually read 
aloud. One day he took up a volume 
of Shakcfpearc, his favourite author, 
and chante directing him to the "Twelfth 
Night, he began' to read. , 

It tpas.impoffible for Lopifa. not to 
perceive that there was fomcthtng par- 
ticular in the whole manner of Lord 
Haftings towards berj .and the various 
incidents of the laft month had left her 
in no doubt with refpect to the nature of 
her own fentiments. As his cxpreflions, 
however, might be all juftified on the 
fcore of .fjriflndfhip and gratitude, flie 
did not darc: go encourage hope, thoi^h 
flie often i^t the torment of fufpenfc, 
and fuSered extteixie uneafinefs from the 

VouL H dread 

D5 .u.-Googli: 



t64. INTERESTlKO MEMOIRS, 
dread of Lord Haftir^s entercaining th^ 
ffighteft fofpicibn of Ac truth. 

As he advanced in the pla^, fiie fcTt 
hcrfelf greatly affeaed. IJ^hCn he c«ne 
to that pathetic defcription, " She never 
told her love," &c. the colour forfook 
her cheeks, and her heart palpitated 
with the moft puiiful apprelienlions. It 
infiantly occurred to her, that l^rd 
Haftings had artfully, contrived this me- 
thod of difcovering her real fentlmentSj 
—the thought was agony. 

On pronouncing this fentence, — " A 
murderous guilt fhows not itfelf miorc 
foon, than love that would feem hid,""— 
he ftopt, he fighed j and venturing to 
Iteal a look at Louifa, faw her. pale and 
breathlefs, juft finking from her chair. 
He flew to her, and catching her in his 
anrs, prevented her from falling. Lady 
Granville, who was not an unconcerned 
Ipedator 

Dig^d.-GOOglC 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 14? 
fpcftatbr of this fcene, afliftcd her Ton 
in carrying her out to the air.— " My 
** love," faid flie, " your long confine- 
** ment in a Cck-room, has, I fear, in- 
"jured your health. Indeed, .Louifa, the 
** journey to Bath, which Dr. Lewis 
** urges, is not left neceffaiy for yow 
** than myfclf." 

From that moment Louifa refolved to 
keep the ftri&eft watch over herfelf; and 
confcious of her inability to dilTemble,' 
to avoid for the future the company of 
Liord Haftings, with as much earnelt- 
nefs as Ihe had formerly wilhed for it. 
He perceived the coldncfs and altera- 
tion in her manner; but far from fuf- 
pe^ng the real caufe, with that diffi- 
dence which often accompanies true me- 
rit, and always genuine love, he fought 
for i^ in his own conduct i fome part of 
which, though unknown to himfelf, he 
feared had offended her. 

Ha The 

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148 INTERESTING MEMOIRS.. 

The confcioufncfs that hauatcd Louifa, 
when in company with him, gave her a 
feeling (o exquifitely painful, that it even 
threw an air of pcevifhnefs into her con- 
vcrfation. . When he enquired anxioufly 
about her health, it incrcafed her an- 
Koi&i and perplexity, by making her 
Aifped that her fecret diftrefs was be- 
come apparent; and every attempt -to 
^wth her inquietude, carried in it, to 
her difordered imagination, the air of 
an infult. 

Lord Haftings fought in vain to un- 
ravel the myftcry of her behaviour ; he 
was convinced of her indifference; he 
felt diffatis Red and unhappy; but though 
he knew too well the caufe of his in- 
quietude, he was utterly unconfcious of 
having done any thiJig to merle the an- 
guilb he fuJ^red* 



I ...Google 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS; 149 

?*o Metaide de St. Croix. 

" Your tendef folicitxidc to iparc mjr 
anxiety, and reconcile me to my lofs, 
merits my unfeigned acknowledgment. 
Oh, Adelaide ! I have indeed wept over 
the grave of my beft friend j but I have 
not, like you, buried there my hope»» 
wilhes, and inquietudes. My bofom is 
not formed for the reftlefs paffions and 
purfuits of the world i it reliflies peace 
even more than pleafure. In a few days 
we fee out for Bath; and I confels to 
you, the profpe£t of mixing with the 
gay world, loads me with a dqeftion I 
cannot ftiake off. But like the bee, I 
muft ftrrve to improve my little hour of 
life, and to extract honey from weeds as 
well as flowers. 

" Happily, my Adelaide, the eyes of , 
imagination are not fettered by the lawa 
H 3 that 

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no INTERESTING MEMOIR& 
that limit the corporeal feofe. Though 
many hundred miles now divide us> ftilt 
1 behold the friend of my heart, ftill 
do I partake with you the delightful fo- 
litude of St. Cixe. I tread in fancy the 
fame path wc have often trod together ; 
the fame trees which have witnefled our 
mutual exprelllans of friendfhip, feem 
to fliade me ; and I ftlll ftop to liften to 
the fame profound filence^ which ufed 
JO infpire us with a pleafmg dread, whilft 
wandering through the cloifter^ by the 
.pale lamp of evening. I look ba<;k wit^ 
jTgret Qit thole hQun> Adelaide, whteh 
ilhall never, never return!— Hours, which 
we often fuffered to elapfe in vain regrets 
for their (hort duration.— Such is the 
'weaknefs, the inconlillency of human 
'nature T- — You would be equally un- 
joft lo your own merit and my fricnd- 
Ihip, did you believe that I could ever 
ftiffer your image to be banllhed from 
my 



ng^d.-GOOgiC 



INTSRBSTIKG MEMOIRS, iji 
vay be^rt. No, Adelaide} others may 
engage my attention^ or engrofs my 
ticne, but jou will ever polTefs the coa- 
^med efteem> ^d tender affct^^ of 

Your faithful friend^ 

Louisa Ssymovr." 



As Bath waters were thought necefla- 

ry for . re-eftabli(hing Lady Granville's 

' liealth, flic prepared to fet out with 'her 

family, all of whom wilhed to anend 

her. 

About a week before their departure, 
the Marquis of Winchefter and his 
daughter came to congratubte Lady 
Granville on her recovery, and fpcnd a 
few days at the Caftle. Lady Charlotte, 
■ who had never feen Mifs Seymour be- 
fore, was fi) ftruck with her beauty, that 
H4 ihe 



D5 .ij ..Google 



ija INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
flic could not help cxpreffing her ad- 
miration of it. Her admiration indeed 
■was fincere, and unmixed with cnvyj 
but would probably have been attended 
with a feeling equally painful, had Ihe 
not inftantly perceived the coldnefs with 
which Louifa treated Lord Hafttngs, 
aiid recolleifted that the change in his 
manner took place before her return 
from France. 

Nothing is more common than to fee 
people of oppofite tempers become, fond 
of each other. In all connexions of the 
heart, there muft be a fimilarity in tafte 
and fentiment between the parties j .but 
diverfity of tempers, like divcrfity of 
muGcal tones, fcrve, when properly 
combined, to make the harmony more 
complete. The timid and refcrved are 
relieved from the neceffity of any pain- 
ful exertions, by the frank and compla- 
cent, who derive a generous pleafure 
from 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



from the conrcioufnefs of bringing forth 
the merit of others to view, and of re- 
moving that veil which exccffive mo- 
defly throws over their good quklicies. 
Thefe two Ladiea derived mutual plea- 
fure and advantage from each' other's Ib- 
ciety ; and before they parted, l^dy 
Charlotte entreated Louifa to write to 
her, in fuch preiBng terms, r as left hel: 
no pretence for detlining a correfponrf- 
cnce, which Ihe by no " means thoi^Kt 
herfclf qnali6ed to fupport. 

One day, when the tjiro yoang tadln 
and Lord Haftings were walkii^in the 
garden, L^y Charlotte, with h|^.>iifual 
vivacity, began to. rally M>fs Seymour 
on the number of conqtieft&,»e would 
make at Bath. The converfation hop- 
{lening to. turn on the marriage of>a 
young lady there to a rich, difag^e^^^ble 
old mifer, I^uifa expreOed herdetcltsp- 
tion of a conduA (o mterefted, in the 
H 5 ftrongeft 



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^Rrongeft terms. " Very well," rtgiix^ 
Jier lively frieodj " alhhis is mighty ju-etty 
" talking : I^ay, I doubt not but ywl 
*' vn]l carry your romantic f<^ly fo £», 
" as to marry fome gentle geoerous 
." youth, who believes himfeir as capas 
" btjE of living oit lo«e, mtd hQpe> and 
." vows, and nonfenfe, as ycm do. But 
'' indeed, my dear girl, we mortals re- 
** quiiT fpnw gro0er aliment » and I'll 
:** venture to W9ger> you Ihall be of my 
" opinion before ten years are expired i 
** Nay, perhaps, as many weeks at Bath, 
^ will be ftifficient to c&& ijiis mar- 
'*^ vellous change. Confider, child, you 
>' hive never yet feen the world. Oh J 
"^ you know not the dear delight of be^ 
" ing followed, admired, and flattered { 
^ Don't you thiiik, my Liord, tbat Mift 
*' Seymour will foon be of riif opU 
''*Bion?''— ' — " I- Ihould rather hope, 
■** madam," replied he gravely, *' that 
■' the enripty adulatioft of awn admirers, 
: . ■ " would 



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iUtv.iL&S'riiiQ tiVLUCits, lit 

"would fare ,tO;give MJfs Seymour ^ 
*' jufter value fos- the cfteem and adnu- 
*• ration, of her roi friends." 

Though LaAj Charlotte paid little 
attention to thisfpecch, Louifa perfeftly 
comprehended the meaning of it. Ii^'- 
deed, the whole of this converfation 
-introduced into the minds of Lord 
flaftings and Mifs Seymour ,a train of 
ideas fo unpleafing, that they were glad 
to put an -end to it, -by returning to tlie 
Caftle. 

A tew hours after Uie-Marquts and 
his daughter went away, a genteel young 
woman demanded to fee Mifs Seymour 
atone, and was accordingly copduflwd 
.to her apartment. Ic being then tj^e 
d\^, Louifa could not fee the face.pf 
the perfoD who waited for her ; and was 
not aiitile aUcmed ^on ,f<?eing her bojc 
i^(c4oor, iind ,ehen, falling, on ^cr J^qe^_, 
H 6 burft 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



If6 iNttftfiSTlNG MEMOIRS, 
burft into a flood of tears, accompanied 
with fuch violent agitation, as for a while 
robbed her of the power of utterance. 
Louifa begged to know what Ihe want- 
ed. " Oh, Mifs Seymour," cried flic> 
with a feeble voice, interrupted wicli 
fighs, ** have you forgotten your once 
•* virtuous, once happy Sally Vernon ?" 
<t Good Heavens ! Sally," exclaimed 
Louifa, "is it you? But how came 
•* you here at this late hour ? — Why 
*• have you left Cambridge ? — What is 

" the caufe of your diftrefs ?" ** O l" 

continued the afflifted mourner, *' why 
" did you fend me from you ! You 
" know, dear Mifs Seymour, I was ndt 
'* a vain or giddy creature. Had I ftill 
« been at Springwood, I woold have 
** been the happicfl:, as I am now tile 

■ *• moft miferable, of the human raoe."-^ 
She then proceeded, with much diffi- 

■ culty, to give Mils Seymour the melan- 
choly relattdn contained in the following 

■ -' Iftter, 



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INtERESTtNO MEMOIRS. 157 
fetter, which Louifa difpatchcd to her 
friend early next morning, before fefr- 
ting out for Bath : 



To Lady Charlotte VtUiirj. 

" Our correfpondence, my dear Lady 
Charlotte, is about to commence in a 
manner I little thought of< I #iU make 
ao apology for engaging you in an &&. 
of humanity, becaufe I am perfuaded I 
cannot give you a higher proof of my 
efteem, than foliciting .a. favour ; or 
confer a greater obligation on you, than 
: by patting ic in your power to do good. 

" The affjHF I am requefting your 
.affiftance in* has given me inexpreRible 
affliction. Perhaps you may remember 
to have feen at the Caftle a beautiful 
young girl named Sally Vernon, who 
ftaid there fome days at Lady Granville's 
dcQrCs 



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458 -IM.TBRfi&TtlifG UEMOIRS. 
defiFC, waitiag my mother's j>ccurn frovfi 
.Fraace. She was -the ooly child of a 
favourite fervant, who dying* bequeath- 
ed her to my mother's care. Sally wait- 
ed on me* till the lofs of my father's 
fortune obliged us to difmifs all our 
fupernumerary domeftics. My worthy 
|>arent> unwilling to expofe this inno- 
cent -giri to the .dangers 0f ,the world) 
placed her with a chamber ijiilliner at 
Cambridge. There&e has continued for 
-feveral years plft> and bcha,ved mi ^ 
fnanner which gained her tbcf^edioo 
of the whole family. 

'* Some time ^o, a young gcMlenun 
of the name of Talbot called to look at 
Ibme ruSlest He faw the unfortunate 
Sally, wrote fcvcral letters to her, pre* 
'tending he was the (oa a weal^ farmer 
in the next county j tod by various arts, 
prev^ed on the unJjpcAuig gid to cor- 
rci^od 



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tNTE^RgSTING MEMOIRS, ij^ 
rtfpond with hkn, and liftcn to his <ad- 

" I cannot prettnd to give jrbu all 
■the paiticujars of this ihockin^ afiair: 
I had them from her own Hp's^ and 
ipved her the psuoful relation. Suffice 
ic to iay, that ,in return for the moft. 
tender aid confiding a&i^ion, he has 
betrayed her fa nun, and loaded her 
with ikastiic. 

" Oh, my dear Lady Charlotte ! hoyr 
my heart fwells with indignation againft 
the perpetrator of this moft cruel, thw 
premeditated villainy I— What will be- 
come of this wretched orphan I know 
not. He fet off a few days ago fqr 
France, without faying farewel, or leav- 
ing one guinea for her fupport, notwiih- 
ftanding her prefent deplorable fitua- 

don. How mean! how defpicabte 

4ocs vice render the human charaAer ! 
"-5hc 



i.,.-.:,d J. Googie 



t6o INTERSSTIKG MEMOIRS. 

" She aflced to fee me alone ycfter'-. 
day; and after throwing herfelf at my 
feec, and ingenuouOy acknowledging 
her fault, which indeed woiiW admit of 
many palliations, fhc conjured rtie by 
the memory of my revered parent, to 
fave her from infamy and want. Her 
words were few, but the eloquence of 
her diftrefs was irrefiftiWc. I difmiflcd 
her with a pfomife of foon findmg an 
afylum proper for her, and defired her 
to fay to the milliner, that'having heard 
of fomething greatly to her advantage, 
'I was about to remove her from Canr- 
bridge. 

" It immediately occurred to me, thit 
your good old nurfc whom we vifited 
together, would be a proper pcrfon 
for fuch a charge, efpccially as fhe has 
no family, and her cottage ftands remote 
from any other. — If Sally's ill-fated in- 
fant fees the light, I can eafily find a 
nurA 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 161 
nutfe for it in this neighbourhood.— 
Let me know if this plan meets with 
your approbation. 

" Whatever lines Society ts obliged 
to draw between the ftriclly virtuous of 
our {ex and fuch as err, O let not 
us, my dear Lady Charlotte ! by tQO 
rigid a regard to its laws, debar un- 
happy wanderers from again returning 
to the peaceful path from which they 
hare unfoctunately itrayed. 

" Your letter, which I IhUll impa^ 
tiently expeA, muft be addrefled to me 
at Bath. Adieu. 

Louisa Seymous..'* , 



To ISJi Seymour, 

" I am {hqcfced beyond expreffion, 

my dear Mifs Seymour, at your account 

of 



i.,.-.:,d-j. Googie 



t62 IK^TERBSTINQ MEMOIRS, 
of die credulous and unfortunate SaUy. 
Poor girl! we muA at leaft tcy to pre- 
ferve her from public lliame, if we can- 
not fave her from fclf-reproach. Your 
plan meets my highe^ approbation, and 
fiul) have every aOUtancc in my power. 

** Ah, Lxiuifa ! Ihould the gallows be 
created for the thief and robber> whom 
Beceflity, perhaps, has impelled to de- 
prive the rich of what they can eafily 
fpare, and ought voluntarily to beftow} 
—and Ihall no piinilhment be inflifted 
PQ l)im> vho &fiHi th^ »Seftipn '0f the 
gen£k.)iofuQ>e$ing heart, robs it of in 
innocence, and ruins its pc^ice.?^— Tesi 
my friend I for fuch, punilhment is prc- 
pared-^a tribunal ere£tcd,— Confcience 
is the accufer, and God himfelf the 
judge:— —From his power and jufticc 
there is no efcaping,— from his righteous 
jftntence, thue Uej nio lippeal ) 

" Whcnc? 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 16} 
" Whence comes it, my fncnd, that 
men, who pride thcmfelves on their in- 
tegrity- in. their tranfa&ions with each 
.other, ihould neverthelcTs hold them- 
felves excufable for praftifing perpe- 
tual tmpoiitioiis on the whole race of 
females? — There muft certainly be fome 
phyfical caufe of this, for in morals there 
is none. — I would apply to philofophers 
for a folution of this enigma— but, alas! 
are not philofophers men ? and will not 
they then impofe fcune fallacy upon 
us?— Indubitably they will. Upon a 
little refle£UoB, however, I ceafc to 
.wonder at it : *' That power confers 
" right," is a favourite maxim with' that 
tender-confcienced fex ; and from hence 
they derive their title, to enflave one 
part of their fpccies, and cheat the 
other. 

** I cannot exprcfs my admiration of 

your noble fentiments, and generous 

conduct. 



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i5+ INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

conduft, fo fupcrior to vulgar prejudice, 
and to the weaknefs of our fex in- parti- 
cular. May your huminity be its own 
reward, and your exemplary goodneft 
lead others to emulate your conduft. — 
Adieu ! — try to fhake off a little of 
your monaftick , gravity; it is unna- 
tural at your early age. I Ihall dif- , 
penfe with your tafting the waters at 
Bath i but I infift on your taking a Le- 
thean draught of its pleafures, thaty- 
like thofe who frequent it, you may 
forget, or fcem to forget, all your cares ! 
•Imprefs your memory, however, at all 
times, with the alTurance that I love 
you J and never forget 

Your admiring friend, 

Charlotte Villiers," 



r» 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. i6j 



To Lady Charlotte VillUrs. 

** In what terms fliall I thank tny 
dear Lady Charlotte, for her ready con- 
currence with my plan for poor Sally ! 
1 have written, to acquaint her with 
your intended goodnefs, of taking her 
hereafter into your own fervice: I dare 
anfwer for her gratitude, and will truft 
to you for having her conveyed pri- 
vately to as foon as poUible. 

«* I fear my condoft in this affair has 
not been fo difinterefted as you fuppofe : 
Your ai^robation I have looked to as 
part of my reward j and, perhaps^ even 
the indulgence of benevolence has fclf- 
gratification in view.— Were we at due 
pains, my dear friend, to examine the 
motives of our actions, wc would often 
have caufe to blufli for thofe, on ac- 
count of which, we proudly arrogate to 
ourfclves 

D5 .ij,.Googic 



iSfi .INTERBSTlKti MEMQIRI 
ourfelvcs the praife due to fuperior 
merit. 

*' Though I wifh to obey you in 'alt 
things, I fhall find it impoflible to for- 
get my CUTS in the midft of a fcene fo 
■ full of them. Here, care takes pofieflioa 
of all ranks and denominations: The 
young care for amufement, and die old 
for money-^the gay care for drefs, and 
the ferious for cards— the handfome care 
for admirers, -and the ugly for want of 
them — the coquettes care for coxcombs, 
and the coxcombs for coquettes — the 
women care for every thing, and the 
men for nothing — but themfelvesr Fat 
my part, inftead of ciUling away care, I 
have got a huge addition to my former 
ftock— tfie care of pleafing you j which 
I am fo anxious, to do> that, knowing 
affeAion to be of an aflimilating nature, 
I am ftriving to imitate you; and, in 
ftope of making you what you have 
'a never 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 167 
never appeared to be — fond of your- 
felf — am encroaching on your province, 
and affefting your ftyle. Do not be 
afraid, however, that I fhall rival you 
in it: I am fo awkward an impollor, 
that every child nught dete& the cheat. 

'* The oinly thing of which every 
■perTon herc/eems carclefs, is that health,' 
which they p'rofefs to make the fole ob- 
jcft'of their care. — Orie, I Ihall ever 
anxioully preferve — that of endeavour- 
ing to merit your friendfhip, and to 
jafttfy to the world your kim) partiality 
for nrre. Ferfiaps, in«his inflance alone, 
your jtidgmenc could ever be called in 
^uefiidn : Be it my cwiftant care to via- 
dlcate it. Adieu." 



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t68 IKTERBSTING MEMOIRS. 



9^0 Adelaide it St. Crotx. 

" I now addrefs my beloved friend, 

from the very centre of falhiori and 
folly. Is this then the world, fb mtich 
dcfired, fo eagerly purfued, at the cx- 
pence of health, peace — flay, even virtue 
itfelf?— Ah, my Adelaide! it has nO 
charms for me % it never will have. 

" I am .alarmed and difconcerted at 
every ftcp : I am difguftcd with the eic- 
travagant levity of the women, and the 
fulfome adulation of the men j who, in 
prai&ng others, feem to be wholly en- 
grofled by the care of difplaying thrir 
own talents, and placing their fUperfi- 
cial accompliftiments in the moft ad- 
vantageous light. — That indifcriminat- 
ing politcnefs, which the courtefy of the 
world dignifies with the title of good- 
breed> 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 169 
breeding, appears to me to -be tu>t]iing 
better than a refined fpeciesidf hypo- 
crify. I Ihrink from the yiew of thofe 
faarfli and unamiable qn^tties, which 
the generality of our fpecies a« neithc* 
at pains to correct: nor conceal; and 
feek in rain for the beloved cirde. of 
friends, with whom I am accaftomcd to 
converfe wth frcedoin and ddight, in 
the quiet- of the country. '* My^ heart 
*' is ever .ready to fpeak, but there 
** are none to hear or attfwer it;:" All 
here feem to have but one -caiie, one ob> 
}e£t, one idol — and that is felf — to whom 
they pay uoceaflng homage. 

" How thankful to Providence bught 
we to be, my Adelaide, wlio hath prc- 
ferved our hearts from being corrupted __ 
by the worldl — who hath endowed them 
with relifhcs too exalted, too refinedj to 
be comprehended by tliofe who are en- 
flavcd ty fafliion, and whofc tafte is 
depraved by vice and luxury! — How 
. Vol. 1. I thankful, 

D5 .ij.-Googlc 



«7o -i«rr8it]B:sri»rs -mbmoh^s. 

the Refill, ABd;thc Ibeffittiful, both in the 
4iaturid 'a«d:moul world, :«tcitss iaoar 
£})il6 'thp -ffl^ pure pkafEive, the 'inoft 
.^etoitt gramude, the- tsu>£t Ibnoly ado- 
^attOR taidfpnufe-tr— IThefe are smocions 
'it onoe^xquifiK'and^Dtrabliog'! 'Emo- 
tions which, alosl ^re ^c dhtte rknoWD 
<» the bulk -of our ^ecies ! Pleafures 
-«hidi«fcape the MgardsJefcn.of thofe 
^whdJprti^s Ao -other purfuit but plea^ 
iiift ! 'Rcfawcd by Q<sd hin^etf fOr ehofe 
^ho Jove ^im— 'by Jigholy loving thena- 
-fttves} ^-who 'fcor 'him— -by fearing -to 
commit what is tffi'ehfive to him j and 
■who obey him — by foUowing the beft 
inftinfts of nature, the clcareft: deduc- 
tions of freedom; all which coincide with 
«ur only unerring -guide, the divine lig^t 
' «f revelation. 

« Your friendlhip for me, Adelaide, 

^ivea nw a jealoafy of myf^f, to which 

I wa* 

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rNTB!t=E5TING M^OfRS. ryi 
I WM '{ot&ustly tt 'feanger. Sht Who 
hopes to msUntam-aplace-m-diM: heart; 
where futh noble candour, generofityi 
and'friradAiip iiihabic, 4Ught to pofleft 
no vulgar (hwe of tbefe virttMs. Ifeaf 
to i>ie vnj\ift tjoa-frien^ip like yours^ 
b)r . admitting 'another candidate -for 
mine; yet, after all, my Adelaide, I 
feel, thftt-thoughl may-efteem and -ad- 
mire others for various good qualities, 
you, and you idone, are Ac frioad of 
my heart. 

** About a week before we fet out for 
fiath, the Marquis of Winchefter, Who 
has a fine feat in this neighbourhood^ 
'Cwne with his daughter, to ^fpcnd feme 
days with Lord and LAdy-Gramrille.-* 
-I have never ^n more dignity and 
.grace united, than >n Lady Charlotte 
Vitliers : 3he is extremely handfome^ 
and poflefles a-xeady wit, which, as it is 
iicTer dilplayed«ither co atcraft admira- 
I 3 ttoa. 



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9^3. tMTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
tioi),.pr.give unnecegaiy pain> has the 
cffc£t of rendering he^ converfauon in 
the higheft degree enteruin'mg. She 
4ift>nguijhe5 me by her ncftice i .and« 
when wc parted, folicited m^ friepdfhip 
and correfpondencCj iq a manner truljr 
pleating, and which did ine much ho- 
nour. But fhall I confels to my Ade- 
laide, 1 feel more admiration .than com- 
placency for Lady Charlotte. , I .cannot 
^ake.pET the i^^raint which difiereoce 
of rank impofes; and, through- the 
lioblenefs of her fcntimencs, I can 
yet perceive that flic values herfelf on 
the fyptiriority of her birth. Be|ides, 
though highly accompliihed, and ex- 
tremely agreeable. Lady Charlatte wants 
that irrefiftible charm which fenflbility 
adds to the female charader. She fome- 
times amufes herfelf with laughing at 
the guiltlefs weaknelTes of her fpecies, 
but never expofes them to public view.' 
She deipifes popularity, and tcftifies her 
- ' friendlhip, 

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iWrERESTlNG MEiaorRS*. i;j 
Mcaiihipi hy placing your foibles in a- 
light at orice fy ftriking and ridiculous^ 
that being neither able to excufc noi' 
deny, you have naway left buc to ab-* 
. jure thcm;- 

** I- often draw a cbmparifon betweerf 
my beloved friend^ and tins admired 
^auty : Her perfections, like the mcri-* 
dian fuo^ dazzle and fatigue the fight- 
Tour's, my Adelaide, refemble the foft 
mild luftre of the c^een- .of Heaven^ 
whofe charming afpeA we ufed ta con- 
template together. With fui:h' ineffable' 
delight, in the gardens of St. Gire.— * 
Oh ! with what pleafing melancholy^ 
what tender regret, do' I recaU the hourjt 
fpent there !— Is there not, my beloved 
friend, fomethlng me^pUcabk in thefe 
&dly fo6thing frames of mind, when iC' 
pki^es us- CO be {Ain'd, andwhen fQrro# 
is nungled withfatisfa^n i" 

I 3 Soott 

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174 IMTaSrli^TING U&MQISkSi 
■ Sooa a&er- the arrival ofi th& Gitann 
'nllc family at Batb> theT* went to vifit 
the rooms. Whtlft the7:Wfre wilkii^ 
there, alady eatwed, leaning on' a gonh 
teel young man, both in de^^t iiaouro- 
ing i whom LouiJa inftantly difcovered 
to be her travelling companions, Mrs. 
Stanhope and her fon. They mutually 
estpreflfcd^ their fttisfadioa on* occafiofl 
of this unexpcftcd meeting; and' Mh 
Stanhope, with marks of the tendereft 
fenfibility, condoled with Louifa on the 
lofs Jhe had fuElained, acquainting her 
at the fame time with the death of his 
father>. which had likcwiife h^jDpqq(4 
fihce they jparted,at-Dover. 

[ As i/l'ih Seymouc looked, wrjpj j^ 
apd d^[cacd»..h« could' 1^ befft^pi^ 
^n^ gTf^' IbUcitude about , )^<f, Ijttfdlbi 
the lofs of'-frh)0b:.hteiet«d>3id}it}diioed 
her to vilit Bath at that unfafhionable 
feafon.-— 



I ,X.oogic 



Jb^n.'— LoiUifft, a^t> propet> acUhow- 
fedgmetitsi and informing hnn of ihd 
eaufe of her journcyv tutning W' ILady* 
GranviUt, *' Pirmit me,^ WMam," faidJ 
flie) *' to introduee Mrs> Stianhope and* 

* her fon to your acquaintance; their 

* merit claims your efteem^. andtmy otj-' 
** Iigatiofla:to tbeJF tindnfcfe wUt fecuwi 
*^ clwin yeur frientSiip/'' 

iMEd Hafiings, from theo^po^ fl<M 

^ the room, had obferved with aKtfn^ 
Bon the plcajing fiupiile Louifa. e&- 
prefi^; on fetnng Mr. Stanhope', KiS* 
emat^ mp'VO' cheftt at th« ^wmcnc ffi^ in-> 
tSDsdi.the: hAr fentoice;- and^mu lofi' iW 
amazcmeuit^ao-hesirpaechj the. imp<»A o^ 
which he could not po0ibly compreheiid> 
SB-.beihfidr.nDt heaidjtko' name i<^ StAn- 

Iififr Stymow owiUl bd on> £x fUMiHafi # 
&odog. 

■ I 4 He 



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176 It^ll^KRESTING MEMOIRS. 
. 'He foon obferved the conftant and 
pointed »FtentioA paid her by Mr. Stan- 
Jiope^ which (he received with the fweet- 
«ft complacency -, and jealoufy was ijow 
added to the other reftkfs paflions that 
diftra£ted his foul. But, theugh divided 
by turns between fear, fufpenfe, and 
jealoufyj love, maintained its empire 
there. Louifa appeared with fuperior 
advantages in every new point of light. 
Modefty, humility, and ingenuity, were 
the conllant inmates of her gentle bo^ 
Tom ; and Ihe- appeared with the fame 
vnconfcious fweetnefs, and dignlBcd 
cpmpofuTe, in public, crowds of the gay 
«nd the diflipatc^, as when feated in the 
private circle of her chofen friends. 

As foon as they returned home. Lord 

Hafttogsenquued eagerly after the name; 

and quftlity .of the itrangers. Louifa. 

Tcadily informed him j and at the fame 

tiow 



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IN't^RESTING MEMOIRS. 17/ 
rime mentioned the kindnefs Ihewn by 
them to her mother, in terms of fuch 
lively gratitude, as excited~ his envy^ 
and continned his fvQiicions*- 

Xxniifa obfcrvcd, with extreme' palri,-'- ' 
the uneaftnefs of his thind, ahd depref- 
fton of his fpirits. — The diffidence of 
his manner; whenevei' he addfefled hfer, ' 
and the refpeftful attention; with whidi 
he treated her, convinced her that Ihc" 
had injured him by her former fuJpi- 
ctbns. No fooner did her judgment" 
make this conceflioni than her Hcarr 
eagerly fcized k; to juftify a thbufand^ 
little kindneffes, which fhe thought were 
due to a paOion fo tender and difinte-r-' 
seftcd as that of Lord Hafting;.- 



I j ^ 



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■78, INT^ESaUI^ 1«K&^.|19< 



" There is a tender pleafure, my 
Ixnufa>^.refieft>agr that.parh»^:att^e 
facoe. iaAaot^ thaugi}:diyi,ded. t^ inaa^i 
hundrcd.miltt, thr fanie gl9wjng'a^u:>(> 
tioa i^ qtunfucins our. hcwEs,. xh^ Gumfi 

*' BeIlev«.ioe,tt:.ia witltfe^ faus&SiftBr, 
I iiear of. yow forming, new intimacieSsi-^ 
Da not bci afraid^ noy. amis^le,. my, ia^, 
gtauous friend, t? admix Lady Char'- 
Iptte to a fhare g£ yaw afl^tionj I. ami 
confident I Oi^lU not be a lefcr on thab, 
account. You oanoot be unjuil; and- 
the unequalled foadnefs I bear you^ \% 
my fccurity for the ftrength and con- 
{tancy of your attachment.*— Long ac- 
cuftomed tux the ftudy of thofc valuable 
ciur^ers who c^mpofr our favourite 
S " circle* 

Dig^d J. GOOgiC 



tanies, aBd-^o-anaJlidiie itmritftoftisii 
■mt: oaaae aits lengthrtiBb^evic^. that wkhtf 
iai this, circle^ isi compviisd'. attitUt i* 
'TOluable in>. idio wmld. ' Bdanl^praBit 
iUfaUati9siduiG fUbhs and^m^nifiwnhett; 

ibn J and Itencfr the IbCii^* !^l}xm*fou 
felt afftiEHons come' at length tb'Btf 
confined to a fpherr fartt/cj harrow^attll 
limited fw tl^eir healthful excrciie. In- 
timacy with a variety ofxhal^fcrt gives 
the mind more enlarged" ideas', and 'a!- 
morc liberal tnrni ahd'by drrboWfing' 
various great and good qualities in in'di- 
riduals, we are ^nduced' to. giVc 'credit^ 
to our fpecies for many liiOre wliicK wtf 
want" opportunity to devclb^. '" "''' 

" Hetf me wacn my. beloved fti^d! 
agj^nft ctkcci&iag.: tHac- Mfe ^el;cj^ 
and- ncoiffivcr 'refinemdnt^- 'which. would; 
i^Uy unfic het^ for comnurce with- thoi 
worldj and- diat Salmon wMch ^tovidemvr 
1 6 hath- 

D5 .j.-Googlc 



tSo IKYER&8TING MEMOIRS, 
hadi affigncd iier there. Fhilanthrbpyy 
in fbme meafure, confonns the human 
. to the olivine nature : Though there are. 
harlh feitaTCs in iinne characters, there 
«e. good qualities in all; and though 
tHe^^ces of iixUriduals excite a virtuo«s 
indignaiioQ, for our fpecies, as a collec- 
tive txxjy, let us ever cherifli the fweet 
glov of benevolence; 

•* Though feniibiUty adds grace to 
▼irtue, if it becomes fo exquifite as to 
occfUion more pain and dlfguft than plea- 
fure to its pofleflbr, it can no longer be 
regarded as a bte0ing. AppFobation is 
a pleafant ^ntiment ; but it is a real 
misfortune to have acquired that degree 
of refinement, which gives us a diire- 
lifli for the ordinary pufuits and fatis- 
fadUons of lifc.-^Wheo. we eater the. 
^eat theatre of the ;vrorid,_'ve findrpra. 
' reprcfentations lof human life : -.One the ■ 
wack jof. itp4ginMipp> a young; giddy en- , 
thufi^^ 

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INTERESTING JHEMOIRS. ifi 
t&uAaft>— the odier, that of esperience,: 
a fober flcilful artift. The firft prcfents 
you' only with ex^gerated features, de- 
critful jM^portions, and random ftrokes,. 
which confound and millead the, judg- 
ment. In the work of the other, light 
and fiiade are judiciouny blended'; and 
through the whole you may trace beauty> 
• fymmetry, and defign : Every feature is 
mellowed by time ; and if you are not^ 
dazzlcd,with its luftre, neither will youL 
be difgufted with its- faults. 

" To view this pifture in the iaireft 
light J in other words, to make the beft . 
of every thing, is the great art of life. 



fTo Mifs Seymour^ . 

«* Profeffions of efteem and affeftion^ 

arc among thofc truths which -we find fo 

agreeable to the intercfts of fclf-love» . 

that 



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Itl INTERBSTfNG UEMOBBSJ 
tfattvefcldom molinft »>-queAtQ»th6ir9 
finccrity* Yours -I receive vidi^knptiac^ 
Aith,. and hold- them ai facred- a»^ my- 
creed, in (^Jiwof furlj confci«n€«,- wh»- 
cavils'at- the ftnindatiOTi- on whieh'they* 
are. built. — I wifti^ Louifii you would' 
get rid of that antiquated ufelefa virtue 
modcfty, which every body- admires, and- 
ntibody jewards. How often fliall I af-' 
fore you, that your letters- give me plea^ 
ftrei — that I perufe them with eager- 
nefs ;— that I Bgh when I come to their 
dofe ? Oh t I anticipMe your malicious 
inference; but' I affiire you, it is' the 
fliortricfs> not' length; of your letters 
which occafions my fighing. Perhaps; 
I ought rather to applaud, than blame 
your generous caution j you know fweet 
morfels 'are apt to pall, and trembk ietL 
you fliould give me a furfeit. 

' *' With that diffidence which dways-- 

accompanies genuincmerit, you difclalm 

the. 

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tlai prailq ddpilb your late- cdndfiA to* 
t>«inSil>f^.and -allc^ ^t' your g«ne-^ 
xtSity: pixuxcdct^. from » defire- to- in-- 
duig^ yiHiti^f. Ybu- wrang ydurfelf,- 
ni7 Ldbira>;l^pkftlu«- kBis^ been the- re> 
wwd^ ^hUfti Tirnie^ -wu> the^ Iburee^ oP 
your. ccMidu£tL - - 

." I^fiv^borearcfomevfro uroguv- 
t4ft()im>fetm« th» tttle of Fiiiibfof^cS' 
b>4 who^ft fa& wfrDQ lowers bf uafdorn*. 
but men lovtBTft of; paridox, that dep- 
rive aU QUF- a^on&fcom the fejfifli pria^ 
cigle. L^ us-d^)£^ tlvs. fitUvy* . Noi 
.m«n couU: nghtlyteftimjiterdie pleafbr& 
<^gQ04t>«r«> uU'be hadjhimfcij' been. 
gpod. From lobac motiuo .chen> aiofe- 
eke ftt& benevolent- action ^ 

'* Again, you sffirm, that your cKa^ ' 

rity was not difinterefted, becaufe you 

hoped: by it- 16 obtain' my approbation. 

Qiir a^HonSxtny deBF'Mifs Seymourj are 

feldom 

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il4 INTERESTING MISMblRSi 
fcld<»n the refult of a ibgle pnncipte,'t 
but flow from a complex yariexjT of. mo-i 
ttvcs. To wilb for the approbation of. 
the good, is'at. kaft ionoceat, and -can- 
not therefore cf>Qtainifliue .the a&ion an 
■which it gives rife. Afid, although ytiari 
charity may have looked to this as a, 
part of its rewardj yet a deed which in 
[Htrt was proAipted by compaflroA, 'is 
not therefore to be ftlipped quite n;^ed> 
of meric Liet us guard ^inft pride, 
by an impartial examination of the hid- 
den fpring&bf our cwidudi;; but let u» 
Aun alfo too fcvere a ferutiny, left de- 
prived erf" the fupport of felf-aj^roba- ■ 
tion, the vigour of our minds fail, far 
■want of that reviving cordial which our -. 
benignant Creator bath provided as an 
encouragement to perfeverance in vir- 
tu*. 

" Tou tcU me, ** you ar? furprifed' 

" that a perfon with my advantages,. 

*' and. 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. iSj 
** and living fo much in the gay worlds 
** fliould have nothing of the coquette 
*• in her difpofition." — To my father, 
Louifa, I am indebted for this. De- 
prived in infancy of my mother, hi» 
whole attention has been beftowed on- 
me, and I have been his conitant com- 
panion from a child. 

** He knows human nature; and hav-t 
ibg made my temper his peculiar ftudy,; 
t'dok advantage of my high fpirit, to in- 
ipirc me early with the laudable ambi- 
tion of excelling in n^ental, rather than 
perfonal qualifications. He oppofed one 
paflion to another, and taught the pride 
of fuperior intelligence to combat the 
rage for admiration. 

" Perhaps you will think .he ha» ft'ill 

much to conquer, when, in the cour& 

of one letter, I can betray two foibles, 

vanity 



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)86 INTEREST1N& MBMOIR-a 
vanity and loqMacity-.— See the cof^ 
^ncc I. have in youc friendihip 1 

" Though, your laft: vicrjr ffajtoring. 
letter -would noc perhaps haye gratified 
tiw very learned acid curious A^eniaiw* 
vho delighted chiefly tn hearing foipe- 
ihlng newi yet ic contained fome old 
truths which one never tiies .(^ hearings 
Repeu thetn oftea^ roy dear Lo^ai and 
be aflAiredj that to obtain your affe£tioi» 
and efteem* will gratify the higheft aov. 
biden. oi 

YQtur;Itacetei.tfaoi^aj^iHog/rien(li.. 
Charlotte' ViLMEitfil'" 



Tt Lady CbarhtteVtUifn. 

YoD' rally unci, my- i^caf l^y Char- 
lotte) on my ferioufnefs aodlove of rft- 
tiremcftC, ^ick>yoaterm unaatural av 
my 



i.5.-.:8d J, Google 



INTBI^STIN-O MEM-pIRS; ity- 
my age. 'Eruth is, thisugh' we may li\« 
in du ^tnrid- wtthouc adopting- ics pre* 
judioee, o^ b«ng. corrupted, by- its vices» 
«c can luiidl; sMQid beang can&rand to 
i^s cuJ^Lwiis aod> manaer^i which are ut- 
Cttlj^ regagfiznt. boih. to my priociplca 
aad'tafte* 

: ** The. afaTuriky oC chsl«: wil^ iiM 
fttfike yotlr tniw^ beoauTe they h(»« 
long baeni familiar tn: you ; . buc pcrmio 
me to anc>. what. can. be- mora uhaatural> 
lidlcuUius,, diiingenuous>. aad :e«en eri- 
QtuMh tjteik.(^e;wholt li& aadlooi]4ii£b 
<?£ > fine: l**^y- ?— Let- me atesmpt thw 
Biaur<tr.At: tlft, expence of hfttlth an* 
iUVy,. (h^- iftAet ia Oeep or. flotb tholb 
^t. ffvene, driiigbtftil hoursi. whtcb 
i^MS^ toi ti& (kvoted to. tha^ ianpoavQ* 
wqtrt^ hen ifaj«dijUidjegufatino;.of best 
f^Fnily.,. Shc^gBts- up^ wstlL'unfBiyi se* 
i^e&iomr Oft' the ' lol&ii dirappDintmeots* 
49^ii)Qru|viaUt>ufe<if the precediog day« 



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iM INTERESTING MEM.OIR9., 
or elfe with no reflexions at all/ Her 
temper is fretted during the tedious du- 
ties of the toiletK) by difcovering in her 
face the fure, thougH filent, ravages of 
time and difllpatioa. Chagrined with- 
herfelf, flie vents her ill-humoiw irfdif- 
criaiinately on all who approach herr 
and her caprice and injufttce teach even 
her children and.domcfttca to deffdfe 
her. Utterly ignorant, of h^irpinefsy 
fhe waftes the |»-ecious hours of life in" 
vainly contriving the means- of render-i 
ing them happy. To diOlpate that 
time, "which ihe knows boe to- enjoy,' 
yet whofe filent lapfc ihe marks wittr 
terror, and deplores- with anguifh> Ihe 
fets oQt on ■ a ' round of vifttSy in^ full- 
confidence- of being denied adntUtancfr 
by , ^1 wha call themfclves her frifendSj 
tad whtHn ihe would indeed rank as 
enemies, did they confeot -to- fee her.- 
But if, by fome unfortunate miftake, 
riieir doors are op^eoed to receive her, 
ihe 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



INT EkESTING MEMOIRS. '189 
AeiexecraMs the fault'j arid with cori^ 
fummate art, and heroic' dilRmulation, 
inftantly converts her frbWns into fmiles) 
and flies with open arms co meet the 
very per fon, • whom in her heart (Be 
hates, defpifcs, envies, and defames. — 
Company joins her at her fuperb, but 
joylefs and inhofpitable meal. There, 
want of confidence and efteem throws 
reftraint and coldnefs into converfatloni 
for where there is no mutual defire'to 
. pleafe and be pleafed, difguft and indif- 
ference muft take place of fecial inter- 
courfe, harmony, and chetrfujnefs.— 
Public amufemcnts fill up the tedious 
night; — amufements ! grown not only 
taftelefs but burthenfome by repetition* 
Frivolous converfation, unmeaning gaU. 
iantry, infipid pleafurcs, and ruinous gam- 
ing) fum up the joys of a fine lady. ;■ 

She may, indeed, be faid to walk in a 
vain <how j for her life is a train of uti- 
facceAful deceit, which cannot in>pofi: 
' -. . upon 

D.5.-.:8d J, Google 



J90 INTERESTrINO UEWOIR?. 

aa -the wm-ld, add yHich iKiifh^r :pro>- 
motes her intereft inor comfort. Her 
rankling. paflions.incpcare with her yearsi 
Iwr heart is the receptaole of pride, envy, 
malevolence, and difguft : — Her yowfa 
is wafted in folly, her age has ho friends: 
She lives without e(ijoymciit> ihe dies 
without hope ! 

** Perhaps, my dear Lady Charlotte, 
jou -think me too fevere. Believe mcj 
h was Truth that guided the pencil, and 
Experiencethat finiftied the jiiece. The 
glowing colours of Itnagiiution had no 
place there. . _ 

" I confefs I am fhocked -and difi 
gutted beyond expreffion with ,ihe le- 
vity, and even rudenefs, of thofc, who 
call themfelves the polite world. Would 
you believe it, I have been frequently 
ridiculed here, for my prcfent mourning 
Jiabit ? The only outward tcftinwoy % 



I ,. Googic 



INTE-RE&TING MEMOIRS, t^t 
can give, trf that reverence I fiiallevcr 
feel, for the memory of the beft of 
mothers ! 

*' Two young ladies of fafiiion flood 
near me laft night; when, after difcon- 
•certing me extremely, by fcanjiing mo 
from head, to foot, with looks of inef- 
fable contempt, " This deep mourning 
" for a mother," faid one of them, 
*• who has already been depd two 
** months, is abfurd affeiftation." — •■, 
** Ah, my dear," replied the other, 
" this mulhroom beauty, whom no- 
" body knows, is not fo ignorant as not 
" to perceive the effeft black Ijas, in 
" heightening the delicacy of fuch a 
*' fkin and complexion." 

** I am not confcious of being vain 

,«r conceited. Lady Charlotte; but if I 

am, this is not the proper way of cor- 

reftlng me.— I will not allow myfelf, 

however, 

D5 .ij,.Googic 



I9t IHTERESTmC ME^^OIRS. 
however, to feel lafting rerentmenr, 
where, perhaps, no infult was intended. 
Thefe young ladies were not confcioiis 
of the pain they were infliftingj and, 
befides — they had not loft a mother!— 
With refpeft to changing my drefs, I 
Ihall not regulate my conduft by their 
opinion. I can never regard the prac- 
tice of wearing mourning folely in the 
light of compliance with cuftom : It 
.fcems intended as a fecur'ity againft 
thofe wounds, which a heart, yet fore 
from recent diftrefs, would feel, from 
witnefling the extravagance of mirth, or 
thoughtleffhefs of levity. — Intemperate 
muft that mind be, which the prefence 
of a perfon, whofe countenance and ha- 
bit exprefs the real mourner, will not 
awe for a little into fomcthinglike feri- 
oufnefs.— Another cuftom, too, prevails 
in the world, which I think both cruel 
and unneceflary— That of admitting 
into 



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into the prefence of one in deep af- 
flidion, all thoTc who, under the pre- 
tence of fympathy, feek only to gratify 
an impertinent and moft difguftmg cu- 
riofity. None but thofewho intimately 
know the heart, are qualified deeply t(f 
fympathife in its forro^s; and the for- 
Tows of the heart are of too facred a na- 
■turc to be laid open to the infpeflioa of 
<very fupcrficial acquaintance and idle 
vifitor. 

*' Adieu, my dear Lady Charlottei 
the friendlhip with wliich you honour 
me, gives me a right to Ihare in both 
the pains and pleafures of yours. To 
alleviate the one-, and augment the 
•other, will ever add to the enjoyment of 

Your fincere friend, 

IjOuisa Sevmour..", 

Vol. I. K ft 

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19* INTERESTING MEMOIR|. 



To Mlfs Seymour. 

** You tell me, my amiable friend', 
that my letters at once amufe and de- 
light you : I can eafily believe that a 
heart fo tender, will find fenfible plca- 
fure in fympathifing in the feelings of 
mine J — but indeed, Louifa, the quiet 
and uniform tcnour of the conventual 
life, furnifiies but very few topics of 
amufement. — There is nothing, how- 
ever, from which a contemplative mind 
may not derive infl:ru<5tion. Whether 
we confine our views to earth, or raifc 
them to Heaven, we ih^l find new caiife 
to admire the wifdom and extol the 
goodnefs of the Creator, God ! 

'* Like you, I am a paflionate ad- 
mirer of the fimple* beauties of nature. 
Arilefs cxprefiions are ever the moft pa- 
thetic j 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 195 

Actic i and therefore thofe objefts which 
owe their charms to nature alon^, are 
moft in harmony with my prefent feel- 
ings, — But whilft we, my friend, felici- 
tate ourfelves on pofleffing a tafte which 
can derive pkafure from fo many fources, 
ought we not to adore that Being, who, 
attentive not only to the neceffities, but 
enjbymenl of his creatures, hath adjuft- 
cd thefe to their various -capacities and 
relilhcs of happinefs? 

*' The fcenes, my Louifa, which con- 
tribute to my inftruftion, as well as 
pleafure, are thofe to which I moft fre- 
quently refort. The weak ftatc of my 
health making change of air nccefiary, 
my mother, with permiflion of the Ab- 
befs, has brought me once more to the 
fcenes of my earlieft, happieft years. 
With what mournful pleafure, what ten- 
der regret, do I look back on thofe 
years ?— Happy ! healthful 1 and inno- 
K 1 cent I— 

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igS INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
<;ent! — Ah! my friend, how ignorant 
are we then of the value of thefe blef-. 
fings? — It is not till theftreams of pro-: 
ipcrity are dried up, that we arc fenfible. 
I)o*r plenteoufly they have flowed : Mine,, 
Jjooifa, are cut off for ever ! 

" Nothing prefents a more ftriking 
emblem of Time, than a filent and 
finooth-flowing river ; fuch as that I 
have juft been contemplating. To the 
carelefs and inattentive eye, it feems al- 
ways the fame; but the various portions 
of which it is compofed, are gliding 
imperceptibly away, whilft the. little 
fiowerets that enamel its banks, and 
which it matures in its couife, arc like- 
wife fecretly undermined by its current. 

But a few months are pafled, fmce we 

traced together the courfc of this river : 

Its waters were then pure and tranfpa- 

rent ; —we admired its beauty, and were 

J refreihed 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 19? 
refreihed with its coolnefs. How is the 
fccne changed ? Swollen by a torrent 
of defccnding rains, it hath burft it* 
bounds ; and, dark, troubled, impe- 
tuous, it rolls along, involving, in its 
wafteful progrefs, every herb and flower 
which it formerly nourilhed'. — So fares 
it with the human foul — There, whilft 
the afFeftions flow in their, fmooth and 
natural courfe, the feeds of virtue' fp ring, 
and its flowers blolTom. But no fooncr 
docs the ftorm of paflion arife, .than 
every noble thought, and generous wifli, 
and ufeful aim, are fwept away into the 
gulph of oblivion ! 

** Be it our care, my Louifa, to pre- 
/erve the flream of our affections pure 
from every ftain j and to cherifli thofe 
virtues which Heaven hath committed 
to our care, till they fliall grow up t« 
beauty and perfe<ftion, and be.tranf- 
plantcd to a milder clime, where they 
K 3 ihaJl 

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■198 INTERESTrNG MEMOIRS, 
fhall imbibe the rays of a ricver-ftt- 
ting Tun, and flourtlb, with increafing 
ftrength, beauty,, and vigour^ for ever I 

*' Adieu, my amiable friend. — Let us 
think ofcener of the bleffings which re- 
main, than of thofe which arc taken 
away from usj and of the calajnicies we 
efcape, than on the flight evils we arc 
obliged a little while to endure."— 
Aduu." 



To Mifi S^mear. 

—'* Well, Louifa, I (hall poCtivcfy 
become a convert to modem philofophy, 
if I continue long in this world; and', 
difclaiming all confidence in the tefti- 
mony of my fcnfcs, believe that there is 
nothing real in the univerfe, but that all 
we fee, and hear, and aft, is nothing 
more than a bundle of fallaciom im- 
preflioas; 

D.g.-«i ...Googk 



INTERESTING MEMOrRS. t^ 
preflions, inconcervabte ideas, unper- 
ceivable perceptions, and I know not 
what. 

"- Do you know I have for, ever of- 
fended Mifs , by my.referved be- 
haviour yefterday. You may ren:icm- 
bcr, -when Ihc left the councjry, (he was 
a little, thin, red-haired, puny girl i.— 
but mark what metamorphofes one win- 
ter in London produces! — Not Owid, 
jiay, nor Circe herfeif, couW effect what 
lead-combs, paint, and powder atchievc 
in that mart^of vanity, and fchool of 
deceit. — I was furprifed to be addrcffcd 
jcfterday, on coming out of church, by 
a ftranger, in a manner fo vulgarly fa- 
miliar, as quite fhocked me. It was a 
tall, rofy, bfiflt, bourgeois figure, with 
.dark eye- brows arnl chcfnut hair i and 
.whom I Ihould juft as foon have takeo 
for the Cham of Tartary as Mifs -. 

- , - K 4 • " Pray, . 

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^op tNTERESTINO MEMOUS; 

" Pray, my dear, do you think 19 
your confcicnce> that one is obliged to- 
know one's friends under fuch difguifcB? 
Who ftiall hereafter pretend to detcc- 
minc on identity oif pcrfon, when it is. 
in the power of the milliner, mantua* 
maker, perfumer, and frifcur, to new- 
model - and make ua jult what ihef 
pieaTe I 

•* You have drawn fuch a tmey but 
fliocking pifture of faftiionable life, that 
i am terrified with the view of itj — and 
now, being heartily ficfc of this worlds 
and not yet quite ready for a better, you 
mufl pofitively reconcile me to my al- 
lotted ftation here, by giving me, in op- 
pofition to the " unnatural, ridiculous, 
difingenuous, and criminal charafter of 
■a woman of fafliion," a juft reprcfcnta- 
tion of what you deem a natural, pro- 
per, agreeable, . and virtuous teaour of 
conduft j— 



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ip^ INTERESTING MEMOIRS, let 

conduAi — in odicr words, the piftunj 
of an unfalhionable woman. 

" Having fuccecded fo happily' in 
your portrait of a fine lady, I muft ia~ 
fift on immediately feeing her counter- 
part—a lifelcfs, fober, inftpid dowdy, I 
fuppofe, commonly called '* a good 
fort of woman;" but, in my opinion,- 
the worft woman in the world — who 
tires one to death with narrating fa&s 
which every body knows — affirming 
truths which nobody difputes — defcant- 
ing on characters which nobody cares 
for— and proving herfclf beyond difputc 
a woman good for nothing but plain 
work, cookery, and breeding. 

'* Like your fine lady, and every, 
body who is difpieafed with themfclves, 
i can be pleafed with nothing befides. 
Haften .then to rcftorc me to tempers 
by a more agreeable pidupe than that 
K 5 yoii 



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■ot INTERESTING MElVtOIRS. 
you have fet before me.: — Ah!-I-ouifa, 
though Bath, doubclefs contains many) 
fuch caricaturas as you reprefent, it is 
xi Bath at prefent I would look for 
Tirtue in her faireft form. — You neett 
not take that trouble ; for in fome cafes 
you arc fo obftinately Hind, that I know 
you will never difcover her, under the 
veil which modefty throws ovtr every 
perfeftion of that objeft, who is often 
preftnt to the thoughts, and always dear 
to the heart of her 

Charlotte Villiers."^ 



7o Lady Charlotte Vihierr. 

" You are refolved to punilli me for 
my prefinnption, my dear Lady. Char- 
lotte, by impofing on me a. tafk, tcr 
■which I am by no means equah. — Youe 
approbation flatters me exceedingly j 
but beware bow you nouriJh my felli- 
conceit* 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS^ aej 
cortceic. I may difpute my own meriCi 
bu-t cannot qucftion youF judgment j 
and your influence over mine, render^ 
you in fome meafure refponfible for my 
conduA. — Thougii my power to amufe 
you is very limited, my inclination to 
oblige you is boundlefs : As a proof of 
It, at your defire, I refume my pen> in 
order to delineate, in the beft mannct 
1 can, my idea of a reafonable woman* 

" Your model of a gpod fort of wo- 
Hian is every where to be found j but 
■where are we to look, for i reafonable 
one ? Perhaps you will allege it has- no 
exirtence but in my own imagination* 
Let us try at leaft, my admired friend. 
Jay our conduct, to realize it* 

" After a night fpent in healthful re- 

pofe, the reafonable woman rifes in thac 

happy trancpiil frame of mind, which 

refults from pleafant reflexions, on the 

K d palt 



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to+ INTERESTING MEMOIRS^ 
paft day, snd anticipatiag the temperate 
pleafures and important duties of the 
Commencing one. Its ffrft moments arc 
devoted as due to that Being whom ihe 
regards With filial love, gratitude, and 
revtirence; and whom (he approaches, 
not with the lifelefs proftrations of fear^ 
but with the dcTout and cheerful ho- 
mage of the heart. Before engaging irj^ 
domeftic cares, ftie prepares her mind 
for meeting with firmnefs, or hearing 
with patience, the little rubs and vexa- 
tions of the day i She plans a thoufand 
fchemes of benevolence and utility^ 
and the good ihe cannot perfonn, but 
generoufly intends, is recorded in Hea- 
ven as 'virtue.— The time neceffarily 
fpcnt at her toilette, is Ihort ; it is, how- 
ever, rendered pleafing by the delight- 
ful hope of becoming, by means of it* 
adventitious aids, more agreeable in thfr 
eyes of a hufband, whom Ihe loves too- 
tenderly to omit a fingle opportufiity of 
complying 



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INrERE'STrNG MEMdIftS. aof 
complying with hi; tafte^ of ccmfirming 
his efteem. — Books, work, and above 
all, the important duty of imprefling the 
infant nniiwis of her children with that 
love of goodnefi which infenfibly leads 
to the praAice of it; 611 up the reft of the 
morning. — Through the day, ftie checks 
the little faliics of her own temper, and 
unobfervedj ftcals from ctthers, by the ■ 
influence of her good humour, evcr^ 
difquieting care. To them her time* 
her tafte, are often facrificed ; but con- 
scious benevolence does more than re- 
pay her. — Her converfation, equally re-- 
jnote from chilling referve and petulant 
loquacity, has no aim, but to indrud or 
amufc i and in her care to pleafc others, 
file Iccms wholly to fot^et herfelf.— 
Her elegant, yet frugal board, prefenc* 
a ftrilcing emblem of her mind. There, 
plenty is feen without profufion, and 
neatnefs without oftentaiion. Good- 
taftc, good- breeding, good-fenfe, and 
mild 



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log mTERE3TING MEMOIR-9.- 
mild complacency, teach h«r guifta tff 
forget they are ftrangers and to feel 
they are friends, —Her hufband behpMs 
her with mingled pride and plcafurej and 
his approbacion, though- fflcnt, diffufbs 
joy through her heart, afld cheerfulnefs 
through her conrerfation.— The even- 
ing is fpent amidrt the chofen circle, witb 
whom Ihc knows no referves, and whof« 
accumulated happinefe bcComes her.own. 
Conrerfation, if ufcful or agreeable, is 
encouraged ; if duU, relieved by the aids 
which the fine arts fupply to thofe wh& 
cultivate them. Mafic, dancing, cards> 
are oceafionally called in j and even 
thofe amufrments for whieh ftie has no 
relifh herlelf, flic cheerfully adopts, in the 
hope of contributing to the enjoyment 
of others.— Public divcrfibns are fomc- 
times vifited, but always tend with the 
reafonable woman to increafe her love 
of focial and domeflic plcafures. — When 
in public, ftc appears with propriety 
«n(t 



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INTSRESTING MEMOIRS'. 2»j- 
«nd modcfty. She envies not beaoty,— 
ihe covets not grandeur, — Ihe' fecks not 
to engage attention ; for, in the pkafing 
confcioiifncfs of difcharging her duty; 
in the love of her hufband, and efteem of 
her friends, Ihe finds- complete happi- 
nefs. Stich is aceafonable woman ! The 
very oppofitc of a fafliionable one. If 
we hefitate tCM which to give the prefer- 
ence, we may, perhaps, with mach pro*, 
priety, defervc to be ranked in ths 
latter clafs r but we certainly can form 
no pretenfions to the name or charader 
of the former.- 

■ " After aU, my dear Lady Charlotte-, 
ts> it not afloniihing that wc are at fo 
little pains to become reafonablc women.? 
"We, whofc limited and domeftic fitua- 
tion renders the cultivation of the leffer 
morals, the mild and gentle virtues, ef- 
fcntial to our comfort. There are few 
people who arc not capable of great 
and 



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set IRTERESTIMG MBM0IR5. 
«nd gcnerom aftions, when they know 
by them they will excite admiration and 
obtain a^plaufe j but iii private life, 
where our virtues paTs unheeded, we are 
at little pains to become difintcrefted, 
benevolent, or felf-denied. It is in pri- 
■rate life, however, that opportunities are 
conftantly occurring for the cxercife of 
thcfe virtues, and where we can at once 
witnefs and protic by their effc6cs : But 
mankind,Jn general, prefer the unmean- 
ing voice of the multitude to the footh- 
iog approbation of their own minds. 

" Adieu, my friend ! If I continue to 
moralize any longcFj you will with juf- 
tke pronounce mcj a moft unrsason4 

' aBL£ WOUAK. 

LjOUISA SeVMOURi" 



About 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, ao». 
About this time, Mr. Valois, a very; 
eminent miniature paJoter, arriving at 
Bath> Lady Granville felt the ilrongeft 
defire to have a picture of her fen, as 
the time fixed for his going abroad faft 
approached. 

When Ihe made this requcft to Lord 
HaAings, he exprefled the greateft re* 
loi^ance to having his likenefs taken at 
that time i confeious, perhaps, that the 
Hate of his miad was not fuch as woidd 
■give an agreeable cKpreffion to his fea- 
tures. Mi6 Seymour was not prefrnt 
when this -fubjetft Mfas mcntioHed. Oii 
«n«ring the room, " Come hither, m^ 
** dear Ijouifa," faid Lady Granvitlej 
■■•* and help me to perfoade thisperverft 
•' iba of mine to do his' duty: Sure I 
" am he can neater have a fit«r pattern 
" or more able inftrudtor. This is the 
■* firfl: time he ever oppofed my will j 
" and as he can, form no reafonable pre^ 
" text 

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aio INTERESTING MEMOrRS. 
*' text for his non-compliance, I am re- 
" folved to affcrt the prerogative of a 
" mother, and infrfl: on bis immediate 
"performance of his duty; or elfe I 
•• (hall certainly punilb- him as a rebel." 

I-^uifa's colour went and came durr 
Ing this fpeech, the meaning of which 
it was imjoffible for her to divine; 
Looking firft at X-ady Granville, and 
then at Lord Haftings, her limid eyes 
feemed to demand an explanation of it. 
5* My mother is. very dcfirous, M-ifs Sey- 
** mour," faid he, "of havingmypifturet 
" but there is only one condition that 
"" will prevail on me to fubmit to tbi»- 
*'.tircfcHTie operation. You nnuft fet the 
." example of my .duty, and reward mc 
" for performing it, by having your owa 
f* done at the fanie time." 

. Lady Granville was not aware of the 

COnfcquence of her requeft, elfe her 

prudeacc 

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INTERESrrNG MEMOIRS, til 
prudence would have prevented her from 
making it. Several circumftances com- 
bined to perfuade her, that Lord Haft- 
ings took a more lively iDtercft in her 
young favourice, than Ihe thought con- 
fiftent, either with his prefent eafe or fu- 
ture prolpe£ts. She coirld not avoid, 
however, feconding her fon's propofaI» 
and added, with equal prudence and 
politenefs, " I (hall envy nobody when. 
*' I Ihall have two fuch pleafarit friends. 

*• in my poffeflion." Lord Haftings 

urged his requeft with a warnnth and 
■importunity that exceedingly difconcert- 
■ed Louifa. Ever fearful of betraying 
her fecret fentiments, though Ihe knew 
not how to refufe, ftic greatly dreaded 
complying ; but in this inftance her pru- 
dence was overborne, by her ftrong in- 
clination to oblige him. Thougji Lord 
Haftings remarked her hefitatian and 
embarraffment, without knowing th« 
cairf^ 



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til INTERESTING MEMOIftR 
canfe, he was fenfibly gratified t^ hcf 
obliging compliance. 

The coach was immediately ordered^ 
snd they drove to the lodging of Mr* 
Valois ; who being then difengaged^ 
begged leave to take the (»JtIines of the- 
two pi^turesi as his time at Bath waa 
ircry uncertain. / 

A little diJpute now slT>fc between 
Mifs Seymour and I^ord Haftings, with 
KfpeA to who ihould fit firft. L^suifx 
fatd, that as Mr. Valois's time was un- 
certain, it wasfuodoubtedly proper, that 
the pifture of Lord Haftings fliould b* 
firft finiftiedi but he recurring to his 
mother's fpeech, infifted on her fctting 
the example. This iinlc altercatioa 
gave an agreeable heightening to the 
delicate complexion of Louifa. As ilie 
was dreflfed in a large morning cap, the 
painter 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, iij 
painter found it necciTary ito have it re- 
moved, in order to obtain a full view of 
her cheek, at ihe was to be drawn in 
profile. This trifling circumftancc ex- 
ceedingly difconccrted the nrodeft and 
gentle L.ouifa, whofe elegant mind was 
exquifitely fenfible to every feeling of 
propriety. She looked abalhed, her co- 
lour increafed; Lady Granville faw her 
embarralTment i and in order to relieve 
it, " Come, my love," faid ihe, " we 
" will retire a moment, and I will my- 
** felf try to perform the office of fri- 
" feijr : Mr. Valois will excufe me, 
" though I Ibould not prcfVe very dcx- 
*' terous in my new profeflion." 

During their ftiort abfence, the fcene 
in the Park at Springwood occurred to 
the memoiy of Lord Haftings. He was 
fcized with the moft paffionate defire to 
have Louifa drawn in the very attitude 
in wJiicb be had beheld her at the grave , 
of 

D.5.-.:8dj,GOOgle 



«i+ INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
©f her mother. Afraid of the penetrat- 
ing eyes of his own, he had not couy 
rage to propofe it j and not having a 
Hioment to lofcj — *' As this Lady, Sir," 
faid be, " is in the habit of a mourner, 
*' I Ihoiild imagine the attitude moft fa- 
" vourable for the character of her face 
" would be chat of devotion." The 
painter being perfeftiy of his opinion, 
he propofed, on return of the ladies, that 
Mifs Seymour fliould take a feat near 
the window, and fix her eyes on the 
ceiling for a few minutes. 

What were the agitating emotions 
which Lord Haftings experienced dur- 
ing th^r progrcfs ! An aflbciation of 
ideas, altogether diclightful, occupied 
his mind, and his eyes were rivetted to a 
face,whofe whole lovelinefs he had never 
till that time had an opportunity of ob- 
ferving.— Her fine chefnut hair, con- 
trafted with the whitenefs and delicacy 
of 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 215 
of her fltiri, and the glow of exquiJite 
fenfibility, occafioned by the nb^elty of 
her fituation, rendered her fo inimitably 
beautiful, that the artift, as well as the 
lover, was rapt in filent admiration. 

She arofe, and Lord Haftings unwil- 
lingly took her place. — Some difficulty 
now occurred about the attitude in 
which he fhould be drawn ; the painter 
having remarked the uocommon and 
animated exprcflion of his fine eyes, rc- 
quefted permiflion to take his full face. 

No time could have been more fa- 
vourable to do juftice both to the excel- 
lency of the fubjeft and ikill of the artift. 
The countenance of Lord Haftings was 
lighted up by a variety of the fweeteft 
.and mofttender fenfations; and the ob- 
jeft on whom his eyes were chiefly fixed 
was not likely to diffipate them. 

The 

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3iB INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 

The piftures were finiflied, and met 
-with univerfal approbation. But as they 
were confcffedly the moft beautiful and 
highly finiftied pieces in his colleaion, 
Mr. Valois begged permiffion to detain 
them a little vhile m his pofTcirion, as 
they did him much credit by being 
ihewn. One morning when Mrs. Stan- 
hope called to take Mifs Scymourout 
in airing, ftie expreffcd the greatefl: cu- 
riofity to fee the pi&ures, on which, flic 
faid, flie heard the highcft encomJumi 
laviihed wherever the went. Accord- 
ingly they drove to the painter's, who 

appeartxl to be extremely hurried. • 

** I have juft received accounts, 'Ma- 
" dam," faid he, to Mifs Seymour, " of 
■** the death uf a relation, which obliges 
*' me to fct out this very night for Lon- 
" don. I was about to fend the pic- 
*' tures, but perhaps you will take the 
** trouble of carrying them homfe youf- 
" felf." 



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INTERESTING MElfOIRS. air 

•* felf." Louifa took out her purfe; 
but Mr. Valois prevented her, by fay- - 
ing they were already paid for. Then 
ftepptng to the table, and taking out of 
the drawer a little fealed packet, he faid, 
in a low voice, " May I beg, Madam, 
" that you will have the goodncfs to 
" prefent this to Lord Haftings, when 
*• nobody is prefent." — The aftonilhed 
Louifa helitated a moment, not know- 
-ing, what anfwer to make, but afraid of 
being obferved by her companion, flic 
put it haftily into her pocket. Her defire 
to know the contents of this little parcel 
was extreme, but it proceeded not from 
curiofity alone ; a fentiment a thouiand 
times more powerful, more irrefiftiblc, 
excited it. She fliuddered at the bare 
idea of doing a mean or diflionourable 
aftion i flie deteripined to conquer her 
prefent temptation to ic ; but an acci- 
dent inftantly occurred, that left her no 
time for heliuting about what cotiduft 
yoi. I. L ihc 

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stft INTERESTING MEMOIRS; 
die ought to purfu«. Having fet down 
lyirs. Stanhope at her own lodgit^s, 
fbe proceeded in her coach to thoTe of 
Lord Granville i on ilepping out, the 
foot-board being much lower than that 
to which ihe was acfuftqmed, her foot 
flipt, and ftic fell to the ground with 
violence. The buftle this accident oc- 
cafioned in the hall reached Lord Haft~ 
ings, who, on hearing Louifa's voice^ 
flew to her affiftance. On feeing her 
pale and trembling, " Good Heaven, 
Mifs Seymour," cried he, eagerly, " what 
« is the matter ?" " Nothing at all, my 
" Lord," anfwered flie, fmiling, but 
with a voice ftill faultering with fear 
and agitation; " Indeed, I fliall be quite 
"well prefently." He fupported her 
into the parlour, and fpoke to her in a 
manner, and with a tone fo foftened with 
compaffion, that Ihe was tempted to re- 
gret fhe had fo little excufe for exciting 
it. As Lady Granville was abroad, he 
a contrived, 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, ti} 
■ contrived, under pretence of giving het 
ctme to recover from die ihoqk ihc had 
got by her fall, to detain her in the par- 
lour for half an hour; during which', 
an interesting converfadon took placet 
and he found opportunity of teflifying 
to her thofc watchful and quiet atten- 
tions that flow dire<5tly from the heart, 
and of which the heart knows the full 
-t"va]ue. 

Though there never could have been 
a more favourable opportunity than the 
prefent for complying with the requeft: 
of the painter, L^ouifa could not find 
courage to give Lord HaftJngs thepac- 
ket herfelfj but delayed fixing on the 
proper means of conveying it to him till 
flie ihould reach her own apartment. 
As foon as the did fo, Jhe took it out of 
her pocket ; and difcovered, with great 
emotion, that the feal had been broken 
by her fall. Her curiofity now became 
L s irreMible. 

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»o INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
iiTcGftible. — " Surely," whifpercd flie 
to herfelf, " there can be nothing in a 
" parcel from Mr. Valois to Lord Haft- 

" ings that I may not fee !" In any 

other inftance but this, Mifs Seymour 
would have, argued in a different man- 
ner. Too well do we know how reafon 
will weigh and judgment determine,, 
when inclination holds the balance. — 
She unfolded a paper, in which was a 
pifture fcaled up, and an open billet 
containing thefe words ; 

** I have ftriftly obfcrved your Lord- 
piip's injynftionsj — no eye but my own 
has feen this pifture. I have folded the 
hands in the form of adoration, as you 
direfted, and think the whole piece im- 
proved by this circumftance. Your 
Lordlhip's generous prefent I accept 
with gratitude, as a proof that my 
labours have obtained your approba- 
tion, 

" I am 



INTERESTING MEMOIRS, an 
"I am, my Lord, with refpcft and 
eftcem. 

Your Lordihip's 

Obliged humble fenrant. 

J. Valois." 



Whilft Louifa pcrufed this billet, Ihe 
was feized with fuch a faintilh fickncfs, 
and her hand trembled fo violently, that 
Tor fome minutes fhe was unable to un« 
clafp the pifturc. At laft ihc did foj 
and with a feeling of mingled delight 
and aftonifhment, perceived that it was 
a copy of her own. 

The pure and animated pleafure with 
which this difcovery infpired the gentle 
bofom of Louifa, is not to be defcrib* 
ed. She now indulged, without re- 
ftrajnt, the inchanting conridtion, that 
L3 flic 



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»i INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
flte was beloved ; and the foeching h^K, . 
of being one day at liberty to avow to 
the dercrving objeft of her tendernefs, 
thofe fentiments which at prefent Ihe fo 
carefully concealed. She grudged every 
moment till the pidture fhould be in the 
poflefliofl of Lord Haftings ; yet knew 
not how to convey it to him, without 
incurring fufpicion of having herfclf 
been the bearer. Confcioufnefs made 
her cowardly ; and in her eagernefs to 
contrive the means ofexecuting her pur- 
pofe and avoiding fufpicion, fhe over- 
looked the one icaft liable to it. — Ac 
length it ocurrcd to her thoughts.-T 
*' O !" whifpered Ihe, as Ihe wrapt up 
the pifture, " may this lifelcfs image 
♦* often recal me to his memory, and 
" preferve me a place in his heart, dur- 
" ing the long, long hours of abfence! 
-*< Would it COT)ld convey to thM heart 
•* th^ tender gratitude of mine !" 

Recol- 

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II^TERESTIN-G MBM0IR9. trj 
Recollecting that there could be no 
danger of any eclairciffcment between 
Lord Haftinga and Mr. Valois, flie in- ' 
cloifed the letter and pidure in a blanic 
eoverj and ringing for her maid, de- 
fired her to give the parcel to Liord 
Haftings's fervant, and to bid htm ac- 
quaint his mafter, that it came from Miv 
ValoiS} who was gone out of town.- — ■■ 
The maid returned, and inf<M^ncd hei^ 
that Ihe had obeyed her orders ; and at 
the fame time prefented her with the 
following kuer from Lady Charlotte) 
which, being in perfed unifon with the 
prefent cheerful tone of her mind, tend* 
ed not a little to heighten the channs of 
ker animitted countenance. 



L4 Ti 

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»4 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 



To Mifs Seymour. 

•* How happy, Louifa, ihould I be, 
if, in loving you, I durft believe I was 
loving myfelf 1 But you are an arcful 
little fophift ; and by impofing this fa- 
Jacy upon ' me, are flily pilfering away 
the little remains of that heart, of which 
you had almoft entirely robbed me.— . 

•* But why do 1 talk of love ? Envy 
and jealoufy now wholly poffefs me !— ' 
You not only fuccefslully imitate, you 
excel me at my own weapons ! What 
mortal could bear to be thus outflione ?— 
Notevenyourrcafonable woman, Louifa; 
—how much Icfs a fafliionablc one ? 

*• I verily believe the word love will 
lie expunged from the Englilh voca- 
bulary, and pride, vanity, and intereft: 
placed 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 115 
placed. in Its ftead. You know I hate 
to be pitied j but how can you withhold 
your pity, when you behold your poor 
frtendi rivalled atonce-in genius, love, 
fortune, and fame? I do not wilh to 
kill you with furprife; but whatever is 
the confcquence, I muft inforjn you, 
that Mifs Nelfon, the young — the gay— 
the beautiful— the all for love ! is 
iiiarried to the old — the gouty — the 
pcevith— the good-for-nothing Lord 
Weftdale. She has wedded wealth and 
grandeur: — May Ihe taftc all the happi- 
nefs they are calculated to beftow !— — . 
Is not this with, L^uifa, like a reason^ 
able woman ? 

" But I muft tell you all in due or- 
der. I went to dine to-day at . 

A buftle on the ftreet drew me to the 
window : I threw up the faih ; but. 
Heavens ! what was my aftonilhtnent, 
my mortificatian, when I beheld my 
L> 5 quondam 

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2t« INTE&ESTiKG MEMOIRS. 
qoondam lover. Lord Weftdale, lettiog 
out with bis bride, with all the charm- 
ivg apparatus of marriage finery — car- 
riages — liveriea-^favours ! My heart 
4ed within me,, and my pangs were 
ijicreaied by the bitter refieiftion, . that 
a)\ this happinefs might have been my 
own. In the midft of my afBi£tion, how- 
aver, I have derived fome confolation 
from the prudent fuggeftions of good' 
aunt Gertrude, ^e is of opinion, that 
tiiere is ftili room for hope, fince he has 
already buried three wives j and kindly 
adds, that if I am fortunate enough ta be 
fucceflbr to the prefent inctimbent, I 
Ihalt probably fee him out, and reiiuia 
miftrefs of the field. 

- ** I Ihall be with you in a few days, 
Aat I may be able to judge of the e^ 
&&S of Bath. . I doubt' not it has pro- 
duced a total revolution in your opi- 
luons, and fitted you for living in -that 
' ^ ^ . world 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 337 

*oHd where you arc fo well qualified' 
to ihine. May your reformation be- 
come every day more complete j may I 
fee you fpend the whole morning at your 
toilette, the whole evening at cards, the 
whole night in dancing, and the whole 
day in deep..— Nay, not contented with 
fteing you bccoine exemplary in falhiony 
and eminent in folly,' may I lire to hear 
you tranfmitting your precepts and im- 
provements to pofterityj and inftrufting 
yotn- favourite, grand-daughter in tht 
manner following : 

« You aflc me, my dbar Child, the 
** name and hilbory: of that pretty boy 
•* with, a bow and quiver, whom you fee- 
" in the arraa ? — Yoa muft; know, that 
" long)- long ago, this roguifh archcf 
^ was a mighty favourite, efpecially 
**. among the litde miflbs. But, in pro- 
•* cefs of time, their wife parfenrts began 
** to difcoVer, that he t»ught thonf a' 
L& " thoufand 



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s>8 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
** thoufand mifchievous tricks, by meana 
** of thefe very arrows j which they ufed 
** to ileal from him, and Hioot at the 
*' poor harmlefs boys, who' were mifid- 
" ing not one earthly thing but their 
" book and cxercifcs. To fay truth, I 
■" believe he had no ill intention j but 
■* being forbid the houfe, whenever he 
" ventured to rcvifit his old compa- 
■ •* nions, they were obliged to conceal 
" him with the utmoft care. Unluckily, 
" fome of them, who had been exprefs- 
" ly ordered to difmifs htm (and you 
** know good children always do as 
*• they are bid) were difcovered har- 
•* bouring him in a fecret corner, where 
*f they thought no one could fee him.— 
" Upon which it was agreed by their 
" papas and mammas, to. bring a great 
*' tall fellow, called Intereft, to chace 
*.« him out of, the world. — The poor 
- " boy, in terror for his life, fled with 
** the utmoft precipitation, till he was 
" met 



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INTERESTING , MEMOIRS. 2^ 
** met by Poverty, who took him along 
•* with her into her hovel : His inno-^. 
** cent prattle ufed to fweetcn her toil, 
•* and he affifted her in her labour, in 
*' reward for the flielter Ihe afforded 
** him. It is greatly doubted whether 
" he ftill cxifts ; and as he has not been 
** feen in the world thefe many years, 
** if he does live, it muft certainly be in 
■* fome remote corner, with this poor 

** ragged companion," " Indeed,. 

« Grandmama," fays Louifa the third, 
with tears in her eyes, " I am very forry 
" for poor little Matter Cupid ; and if 
** I knew where to find him, I would 
*• feed him with my own victuals, and 
** carry him in my bofom like my dojl." 
— " No, no, my good child," anfwers 
grandy, " your doll is a much more 
*' harmlefs toy j bcfides, you'll foon 
*' grow up, and become a fine lady, and 
*' get acquaintei^ with Intereft, who, tQ, 
«* fay truth, fince he has been univcr- 
" fally 

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fjo iffTKRESTrNG MEfiTOIRff. 
•• falTy rcccired into genteel company, 
•* is grown a very handfottrc and agree- 
« abfc fellow." 

•• Now, my dew Loeifa, tw complete 
die turn, of my pious wifheSj may both 
your infiru^ons and example have theie 
full cSc& in the world j and,, for tbe- 
good of others^ I pray Heaven that 
your children^ and grand- children, and 
lateft pofterity, may in all things exa&ly 
xefemble vouasztF. 

Charlotte VilliersJ* 



On coming down to dinner. Mils. 
Seymour found Mrs. Stanhope and her 
fcn in the parlour, whom 1-ady Gran- 
TiUe had met in her morning excurfion.. 
The moment Lord Haftings entered the 
room', he enquired after Lx)uila's health, 
«ith. marks of the moft tender foltci*' 
wde.— " How," demanded Lady Gran-' 
Tillc, 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, ijt 
■wile, *' has Mifs Seymour been indif- 
*• pofed ?" — ** Indeed, Madam," replied: 
Lord Haftings, " though Mifs Seymour 
*< is always averfe to give pain, I am 
" confident (he muft have fuffered by. 
" the violence of her fall this motn- 
** ing." He then proceeded to give 
his mother an account of It > but was 
interrupted by Lx>uifa, who> feeing Lady 
Granville look anxious and uncafy, rofe, 
and taking hold of her hand>. " I am. 
** quite aftiamed," f^d Ihe, " that Lord 
<* Haftings Ihould make this fo ferious 
■" an affair: I affure you, my dear Ma- 
" dam, I do not feel the flighteft mir 
" eafincfs — I am perfectly *eU." — " I 
" confefs I am difpofed to credit Mifs 
" Seymour, Madam," faid Mrs. Stan- 
hope, turning to Lady Granville, " for 
** in fpite of his Lordflxip's apprehen- 
** fions, I really think I never faw her 
. " look fo well in my life," A iion- 
fcious blufli overfpread the fine features 
of 

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■31 INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 
of Louifa^ which tended not a little to 
render all the company of Mrs. Stan- 
hope's opinion. 

After dinner, the fubjeft of the pic- 
tures was iDtroduced, and occafioned^ 
in the hearts both of Lord Haftings 
and Mifs Seymour, a variety of the 
fweeteft emotions. The former could 
_not refifl: the pleafure of talking on it: 
** I know no art," faid he, " which 
" furniflies the mind with fo many 

" pleafing ideas as pwnting."' ■" I 

** fliould certainly except that of writ- 
" ing, niyLord," faid Mr. Stanhope.— 
" Writing, indeed," replied his Lord- 
Ihip, ** prefents us with an image of the 
*' foul, as painting does of the perfon 
** of our friend: But the former is not 
" always open for our infpcftion j be-. 
*' fides, a letter is liable to a thoufand 
" accidents, and may never reach the, 
" perfon for whQm it is defigBod; — a 
" pifturc 



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INTERESTING MfiMOIRS. 133 
** picture accompanies us at all times, 
*' and in all places; — a letter does not 
" always accord with our fentiments — 
" wc can make a pi£ture fpeak the very 
V language of our willies." — " I have 
" heard fo many encomiums beftowcd 
*' on thofe of Mifs Seymour and your 
*' Lordfliip," faid Mr. Stanhope, "that 
" I confefs I am become very defirous 
" of feeing them." — ** You muft apply 
** to me for that favour," faid Lady 
Granville, " for I value them too highly 
" ever to truft them, out of my poffef- 
** fion." — She give film the piftures : 
On looking at Mifs Seymour's, ** Your 
" Ladylhip furely cannot be fo uncon- 
" fcionable," faid he, " as to keep pof- 
** fcflion both of this copy and the 
" charming original?'*—" Indeed, Mr. 
•• Stanhope," flic replied, " I fhall find 
*' very great difficulty in parting with 
** either ; but as a time will probably 
•' arrive when I muft rclSgn my right 



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t}4 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
** in Mifs Seymour, I am refoWed at 
*' leaft to retain her image in my poflef- 
*' fion." — " That image. Madam," re- 
joined he, " is fo dear to her friendsi, 
" that I am perfuaded you will not re- 
** fufe them a fliare in your plcafure, 
" by permitting them to have copies 
** taken of this adtiurable picture.— 
** You know, Mifs Seymour," conti- 
nued he, addrefling himfelf to Louifa> 
" it is long fmce you allowed my claim' 
•* to the title of friend : I flatter myielf 
*' you will noc be fy unkind' as to dif- 
** pute it on this occafion." — *• Indced,^^ 
•'.Sir/' anfwered fhe^ with iinaffe£ted 
fweetnefs and modefly, " my friends 
« and I think very diiSircntly, I be- 
f licve, on this fubjeft} and, to pre- 
** vent any difpute about the matter^ 
" I muft beg Lady Granville, froiri 
*' whofe partiality to- the original the 
" pifture derives its chief merit, to 
** take it again into hec po0effio^ :" So 
layings 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. zjj- 
faying, ihe returned the piAUre to Lady 
Granville, whh a look and mannei' 
which convinced her, that flic -wifticd 
the fubjeft to be dropped. Lady Gran- 
ville accordingly put the piftures into 
her pocket. 

Lord Haftings felt all the plcafore of 
a fucccfsful rival on this-occafion. To 
be poffeflcd, even though by ftealth, of 
that pifture which Mifs Seymour had 
rcfuied to Mr. Stanhope, gave him a 
joy (o fincere, that it brl^tcned his 
countenance, and enlivened his conver- 
fation during the whole evening. — Mr. 
Stanhope, on the contrary, appeared 
abfent, thoughtful, and tineafy. Thd 
coldnefs of I-ouifa's manner to Lord 
Haftings, on their coming to Bath, had 
remo'^cd from his mind ajt fear of his 
being a favoured rival j but he could 
not help remarking the mutual complai 
cency they now fliewed for each other, 
and 

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»36 INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
and his jealoufy and apprehenfion gave 
weight to a thoufand circumftances, 
vhich, to an unconcerned fpeftator, 
would have appeared as nothing. He 
had long fought in vain for an oppor- 
tunity of fpeaking to Mifs Seymour 
alone ; and hearing that the day was 
■fixed for her leaving Bath, he refolved 
to be relieved from the torment of fuf- 
pence> and to convey to her, by means of 
a letter, thofe fentiments which he found 
it impofiible any longer to conceal. 

Afraid of this letter being deli- 
vered to her before company, he con- 
trived to convey it to her himfclf, when 
coming out of the rooms; yet not fo 
privately as not to be obferved by Lord 
Haftings, whofc watchful eyes were con- 
tinually fixed on Louifa, and who in- 
ftantly perceived the agitation produced 
in her mind by this circumftance. 

Mifs 



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INTERESTING MEMOIRS. 837 
Mifs Seymour had indeed begun to 
fufpedt, that Mr. Stanhope's fentiments 
for her were of a nature ftill more ten- 
der than friendfliip } and was fo fincerely 
his friend, that flic was greatly affiifted 
at the thought of giving him pain. She 
therefore refolved, by conftantly avoid- 
ing any private converfation with him, 
to Ihew him the improbability of fuc- 
ceeding in his fuit; to prevent his urg- 
ing it, and, if poITible, to fave him the 
mortification of a refufal. 

This generous conduct, however, had 
not the dcfired ciFeft. The follow- 
ing letter at once confirmed her fufpi- 
cions, and Ihewcd her the inefficacy of her 
meafures : 

To Mifs Seymour, 
*' Madam, 
" With judgment and penetration like 
yours, I cannot fuppofe that you arc ig- 
norant of the fentiments which have long 
taken 

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iiH INTERESTING MEMQJiLS. 
taken pofleffion of my heart : With fiich 
constant opportunities of difcoveriag the 
excellence of your's, how could I remain 
infenfible to your merit? — Confcious, 
however, of the prefumption of cherifh- 
ing thofe hopes it infpired, I have long 
ilruggled to conceal a pafljonj which 
was painful to me, only becaufe I feared 
it would be difplealing to you. A cer- 
tain coldnefs and reftraint, but too vidble 
of late in your manner, leaves me no 
room to doubt either of your know- 
ledge or difapprobation of the moft re- 
fpeftful, fincere, and conftant, though, 
I fear, unfortunate attachment. 

*' Think not, dear Mifs Seymour, that 
hope has di<ftated this confefHon — Ah I 
no ; it is fear — it is apprehenfion alone, 
which has forced it from me : It 13 the 
dread of lofmg. your efteem, which is 
impelling me to a meafure that may, 
perhaps, for ever forfeit it. I hardly 
know what I write— Oh ! Mifs Sey^ 
mour, 

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INTERESTING MEMOIRS, ajf 
mow, pity tl« diftraftion of my mind ; 
(ayj you forgive, my prefumption ;■ If 
poflijjle, allow me to hope, from time, 
afliduity, and, above all, the exsilted ge- 
nerofity of your heart, that it will one 
day reply to the fcntiments of mine. If 
you cannot do this, teach me to aban- 
don the only hope which could make 
life defirable ! — Ah ! Mifs Seymour, ra- 
ther teach me to forget it, in the enjoy- 
ment of that peace, which I poITeficd 
before I rafhly afpircd to a dearer name 
than that of friend!— Alas! I fear, you 
never can rellore my loft tranquillity j 
yet do not, I befeech you, by your chil- 
ling indifference, add the bitternefs of 
felt contempt to the anguifh of difap- 
pointment. 

** I will not offend you with my com- 
plaints — only do not banilh me from 
your fight — do not deprive me of my 
only confolation, that of juftifying tg 
myfelf 

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tio rNTERESTlNG MEMOIRS, 
myfelf the indulgenceof a pallion I can- 
not' conquer, by daily beholding new 
proofs of thofc virtues which firft in- 
fpircd it." 



LAuifa's diftrefs, on perufing this let- 
ter, was extreme ; nor was it lelTened 
on being told next morning, by Lady 
Granville, that (he had juft been to wait 
on Mrs. Stanhope, to requeft the and 
her fon would accompany them to 
Caftle-Haftings, and fpehd a few weeks 
there.— She was perplexed beyond mea- 
fure, with refpedt to the conduct flie 
ought; td hold ; and, with a degree of 
injufticc, of which love often makes us 
guilty, felt refentment againft Mr. Stan- 
hope, on account of the uneafinefs Ihc 
then fuffercd, from a paffion which too 
well (he knew'to excufe in herfelf ; and 
which merited compadion in propotxion 
to its bopeleflhefs ; and adually difliked 
himj 

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INTERES-TING MEMCXtRS. ^3141 
l(inr, OB acirauAt of ttiat prefeceii,ce, lor 
which her reafon- tf^d her, both eftccra. 
and g^ratitpde were due. 

'« T^OA%^ UP o,ccarion of fpeatiog t9 
Mift SeyrnQur in priwate, occvrrtd ^c* 
fcw kaviag Bath, it Vf^ «fy fp? Mr, 
Stanhope W ^ifcoyef hoiif upyrclc^pie 
^f! (iCviteHts of hi^ letter hft^ been to 
h<:r : ^fic E|fOugti> irom fier I^gdip^fii|e^ 
to avoid him, be yias CQnvincq| f^f kgr 
indifference, and even apprehenlive of 
her diflike, he could not refift the defire 
he felt to accompany^ her; the pleafure^ 
of beholding her, and the hope witht 
which he flattered himfelf that the ar- 
dour and conftancy of his attachment 
would at length make a favourable im- 
prcfUon, on a mind fo generous, and a 
heart fo fufceptible, as that of Mlfs Sey-^ 
mour. 

Accordingly, the two families fct off" 

fer the Caftlc ; and, after making feve- 

VoL. I. M ral 

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S4S INTERESTING MEMOIRS, 
ral agreeable ocurfioiis in their wstf, 
4uriTed there in fafcty. 

The firfl: employment in which Louifa 
engaged^ was that of writing to Ade- 
laide; accuftomed to fliare with her 
every thought of her foul, flie felt as ff 
guilty of treafonable concealment, till 
fhe Ihould dtfcover to that faithful 
friend, the Tarioua fentiments with 
which her*s vas agitated.. 



BVD or THE riSLST TOLVUli 



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